The Record Newspaper 10 November 2010

THE R ECORD

Faith in Stone

La Sagrada Familia, consecrated 130 years after it was commenced - PAGES 8&9

Archbishop calls Perth to join global Vigil

Pope Benedict XVI has asked every diocesan Bishop in the world to join him in a vigil for life on November 27. Perth will be joining him.

BY BRONIA K ARNIEWICZ Archdiocesan Respect Life Office

Catholics around the world, including Perth, will join Pope Benedict XVI in a Vigil for Life, praying “for protection of every human being called into existence” on Saturday, 27 November.

The Pope has written to every diocesan Bishop in the world, asking them to join in this significant prayer intention he has termed a “Vigil for All Nascent Human Life.”

Archbishop Hickey will celebrate the 6pm Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Victoria Square on the same date and continue the vigil for three hours more until 10pm; many other parishes in Perth will also mark the occasion.

The purpose of the vigil “is to thank the Lord for His total self-giving to the world and for His Incarnation which gave every human life its real worth Please turn to Page 6

Great day for Brian and Miriam

as four champions of human life meet up

Unforgettable moment: Miriam Peachey and

on 13 October. The

BY PETER ROSENGREN

FOR possibly the first time in his life, Brian Peachey was lost for words.

Although they have visited Rome like thousands of other pilgrims and have attended audiences with several Popes over several decades, Mr and Mrs Peachey have never found themselves face to face with the Vicar of Christ.

For the long-time political campaigner, who has never been known to be short of a word, it was the sort of moment you only dream about.

However, Mr Peachey, who is Chairman of Pregnancy Assistance, was astonished when Archbishop Barry

Hickey invited him and his wife Miriam to a special seating area during a general papal audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, 13 October.

General papal audiences are attended by thousands of pilgrims but the chance to personally meet and talk with the Holy Father is a rare privilege, and one that is all the more special for the Peacheys.

In their own ways, each of the four who met during the audience are all champions of innocent life, especially that of the unborn child.

Pope Benedict has often been pointed in his defence of the sanctity of innocent life at every stage from conception.

Archbishop Hickey founded the Pregnancy Assistance

organisation together with Mr Peachey and was outspoken during the 1998 political debate that led to the legalisation of the killing of unborn children in WA.

Together, Brian and Miriam have raised eight children and have consistently committed themselves to campaigning for the sanctity of human life at every stage of its existence - both through Mr Peachey’s longstanding involvement in state and federal politics (including occasional forays as a Democratic Labour Party or, in recent years, as a Christian Democrat, candidate) but most impressively through their decades-long participation in a range of grassroots pro-life activities.

However, it is their faith, marriage, home and family life that has always been the wellspring for such commitments outside the famed tribal home.

It was Mr Peachey who was the founding Chairman of Pregnancy Assistance, an Archdiocese-supported agency which offers counselling, accommodation and support to women and girls who are experiencing what are often referred to as ‘crisis pregnancies’; those in which the mothers may be discriminated against by fathers or family, or which they are pressured to end through abortion.

Since its founding in 1996, Pregnancy Assistance has been putting the pro-life Please turn to Page 4

Priests requested to leave SJOG retirement Villa

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

SEVEN elderly priests have been asked to relocate from the St John of God Villa in West Leederville by 30 June next year.

The five priests from the Perth Archdiocese and two from Bunbury are, bar one in his late 70s, aged in their 80s and 90s.

Perth Archdiocesan priest

liaison officer Brian Bonzer said that their names have been put down at retirement and nursing homes such as the Little Sisters of the Poor in Glendalough, Mercy Aged Care and Castledare Village in Wilson. One priest has been accepted at the Little Sisters of the Poor Home of the Aged but is yet to take up residence.

Mr Bonzer told The Record that the priests’ next of kin were advised in June this year that the St John of God Villa would be reverting to a convent as of 30 June 2011 for use by the St John of God Sisters and that it would no longer be an aged care facility under government regulations.

Mr Bonzer said that, as a convent, the St John of God

Villa would no longer be able to take any lay people, priests or Religious from any other order.

“Their congregation had a strategic plan and that’s what they decided they needed to do” Mr Bonzer said. When the announcement was made in June this year, Bishop Sproxton visited and spoke to each priest individually about the decision.

A young woman prays the rosary during a US National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington in this file photo. Pope Benedict has called a worldwide vigil for life in all Catholic parishes for 27 November. Archbishop Barry Hickey will lead the major Perth vigil in St Mary’s Cathedral.

PHOTO: CNS/NANCY WIECHEC

her husband Brian are presented to Pope Benedict XVI by Archbishop Barry Hickey in Rome

Peacheys, Archbishop Hickey and Pope Benedict have all been outspoken defenders and promoters of a principle that makes numerous Australians uncomfortable: the sanctity of human life.

PHOTO: L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO

SAINT OF THE WEEK

‘You’re precious, every one of you’

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

Happiness isn’t all about making money, Archbishop Barry Hickey told graduating students at Clontarf Aboriginal College.

Archbishop Barry Hickey was the sole celebrant at the graduation Mass on 2 November, which took place in the college chapel and was attended by students, parents and teachers.

Describing the graduation as an occasion to speak about things important to both himself and students, Archbishop Hickey told the graduates not to be afraid of death and defeat.

“One can face the future with confidence and with self-respect,” Archbishop Hickey said.

The Parish. The Nation. The World. Find it in The Record.

Editor

“We should think much of ourselves –we are precious in God’s eyes, every one of us.

“We are here, not just for ourselves; we are here for others. It is important for us to get the skills that we need and then look after others. That gives us tremendous happiness.”

Later in his homily, the Archbishop said that making money is not at the heart of happiness.

“People who make all the money they want are not happy.

“Jesus said: At the end of time when I come again I will ask you a question. Did you treat people as you would have treated me?

“I think we all need to remember that. If we are looking after ‘number one’ only, that is not the secret to happiness,” Archbishop Hickey said.

Taking place on All Souls day, the Archbishop led the people in praying for the dead, saying that he prayed for his mother and father; that they be with Jesus in heaven. “We connect to God and the people who have gone before us. What

happens after we die has always been a mystery.

“We heard from Isaiah in the first reading – none of us does know exactly what is happening,” Archbishop Hickey said.

“Jesus died and two days later, his Father brought him back from the dead.

“Jesus said ‘... don’t worry about death –I love you, and you love me and you will be saved.’

“This is our faith – that Jesus has promised a place for us all,” the Archbishop said.

The 22 Year 12 leavers – 15 boys and seven girls – posed with His Grace out-

side the chapel before the Mass. Symbols of the school year and Aboriginality were brought forward to the altar, including a didgeridoo, colourful paintings, a football, a basketball, an L-plate, a steering wheel, bicycle and candles.

At the graduation ceremony the next day, Kamurudin Hunter was announced College Dux; Kearah Clinch was awarded VET Student of the Year for Year 12 and James Gilbert received the Principal’s award.

Mariah Hansen and Darren Abbott were announced as the two Senior Sportspersons of the Year.

Peter Rosengren office@therecord.com.au

Journalists

Bridget Spinks baspinks@therecord.com.au

Mark Reidy mreidy@therecord.com.au

Anthony Barich abarich@therecord.com.au

21-27

AT A GLANCE

A roundup of events in the Archdiocese

Catholic Youth Ministry and the Emmanuel Community

Jesus is Coming Advent ProgrammeTo prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas ahead of the papal arrival in Madrid, the Emmanuel Community and CYM will run an Advent programme as part of its WYD Madrid pilgrim preparation. Everyone is welcome including family and friends. It is for all young people whether preparing for WYD Madrid or not. Enq: 9422 7912

When: 7-8.30pm on 23 and 30 November at Catholic Pastoral Centre, 40A Mary St, Highgate and 7-8.30pm on 14 December at Bioethics Centre, 39 Jugan St, Mt Hawthorn.

Solemnity of Christ the King

The Solemnity will be celebrated at the Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation commencing with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Universal King. A Eucharistic Procession will precede Mass. All welcome. Enq: 9447 3292. When: 2pm on 21 November at 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook.

St Mary’s Cathedral

The Record

Cathedral Wedding Music Info Afternoon Brides, grooms and party are invited to sample various musical options available for their wedding ceremony at the Cathedral in the setting of the Cathedral itself. A listening session featuring some of Perth’s finest musicians will take place followed by a Miss Maud afternoon tea in the parish centre. The afternoon will include an explanation of how music fits into the wedding service, various solo and instrumental musical performances to hear the acoustics and styles, opportunities to practise the bridal entrance to music. Registrations via cathedral.music@ perthcatholic.org.au. Couples - $30, Bride/Groom only$20, Extras (mums, bridesmaids, etc) - $10.

When: 3-4.15pm on 27 November at St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth.

Send your At A Glance item to: baspinks@therecord.com.au

Happy moment: Archbishop Hickey joined graduates of Clontarf Aboriginal College for their graduation on 2 November. PHOTO: GLYNNIS GRAINGER

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

Br Joseph Hughes (pictured) celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Marist brother on 2 July this year but the celebrations are eclipsed, he said, by his sister’s record in Religious life. His sister and St Joseph of the Apparition Sister Anne-Marie is preparing to celebrate her diamond jubilee in 2011.

Sr Anne-Marie and Br Joe grew up in Northam with five sisters and another brother.

The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition taught Joe for early primary (K-2) but in 1948, when Joe was a six year old, the Marist Brothers started living across the road from the Hughes family so, for years 3-6, Joe was taught by the Marists.

At age 12, Joe left home and moved to Wangaratta, Victoria for secondary school and to begin training as a Marist brother.

At 18, in 1960, and with two other ex-Northam students, Joe became a Marist Brother. Since then, he has spent over 40 years in the classroom teaching religion, accounting, economics, maths and “pretty well everything else at different times,” which he said he has enjoyed tremendously.

He spent his first two years teaching in Bunbury but in 1968 he was sent to North Fitzroy to teach, then later to Camberwell and still later to Newman Middle School in Floreat Park.

From 1983-86, Br Joe was deputy principal to Sr Perpetua - a Dominican who died last year - at the newly amalgamated Newman-Siena College.

Then he taught in Bendigo, Victoria for several years

before sensing that he was called to do something more. He spent two years at a boys’ boarding school at Kairiru Island in Papua New Guinea and was then posted to St Joseph’s Tenaru in the Solomons.

His five years in the Solomon Islands gave him time to experience what he called “the outback of the ethnic world”.

On return, he spent a couple of years teaching in Alice Springs but is now taking care of the Community in Darwin.

This includes a couple of senior Marist brothers, namely, Br Oliver Clarke, 96 and a former headmaster of New Norcia, who celebrated his 75th anniversary in August, and Br Marius Woulfe, 86 and an ex-student of New Norcia and former Newman College teacher.

Br Joseph Hughes is the Diocesan Director for Caritas in the Northern Territory. He was recently in Perth for the Caritas Western Regional Directors Conference, and to catch up with family and an ex-Northam student reunion.

He told The Record that the simplicity and humanness of the Marist Brothers was what he found most appealing.

BY ANDREA BARNARD

Increased self confidence, lower depressive symptoms and improved physical fitness are the results of a free training programme to assist adolescents suffering the debilitating effects of Developmental Coordination Disorder, facilitated by the Institute of Health and Rehabilitation Studies at The University of Notre Dame Australia.

The Adolescent Movement Programme, known as AMP it up, is a twice-weekly, 90 minute exercise programme, and is the only ‘adolescent focused’ initiative of its kind in Western Australia.

It is helping to assist youth to engage in physical activity by improving their basic motor skills and components of physical fitness, such as cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility and balance.

Institute for Health and Rehabilitation Research Director, Professor Beth Hands, said adolescents with special needs and their parents were drawn to the programme as it provided free therapy in a supportive, positive and socially acceptable setting.

“The criteria to come in to the programme is that participants must have poor coordination, so we’re looking at adolescents who are unable to participate in the simple everyday activities of daily living,” Professor Hands said.

“We have participants not only affected by DCD but other conditions which affect movement, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Down syndrome.”

Professor Hands said adolescents in these groups were unable to participate in most sports and recreational activities enjoyed by their peers.

She said this exclusion impacted on their physical and emotional wellbeing and resulted in lower physical self-concept and social self-perception, occurring as a result of the very public nature of the disability.

“When young, these youth were excluded from many playground games as they couldn’t run fast or catch a ball, so nobody wanted them on their team. On school sports days, everybody can see their inadequacy when they come last in every race,” she said.

“Consequently, they withdraw

from physical activity opportunities with the related health costs of low fitness and associated lifestyle related diseases.”

Professor Hands said a major concern facing adolescents with DCD is that they were often not identified as having the condition.

“Teachers, parents and coaches often think they’re simply being lazy or just not the sporty type. They just look poorly coordinated or clumsy but they suffer many physical, social and emotional consequences,” she said.

“DCD needs to be recognised as a learning disability in the same way as other specific learning disabilities. Many people don’t realise poor coordination is a diagnosable condition but it doesn’t attract any disability allowance or medical rebate for remedial services.”

Professor Hands said adolescents participating in AMP it up engaged in two 90 minute exercise sessions per week, working with UNDA Exercise and Sport Science, Physiotherapy, and Health and Physical Education students, on a cardio exercise, strength and resistance programme.

“This setting and the adaptable equipment suits their social and physical needs. The ultimate aim is to provide these adolescents with the skills, fitness and confidence to regularly exercise in their

“I think this is reflected in the way we relate to people. Our founder, Marcellin Champagnat’s family spirit is an integral part of the way we operate,” he said.

local exercise facility when they become adults,” she said. Professor Hands said many parents of AMP it up participants felt overwhelming relief to find the programme for their children. For many, this

PHOTO: BRIDGET SPINKS

was the first time their child had enjoyed participating in exercise. Lisa McBride, Mum of Callan, who was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder at age three, said the programme had been a Godsend for her and her son who suffered anxiety when faced with having to compete with his peers due to his loving, non-competitive nature.

“Callan is now happily participating in his second term of AMP it up and we are amazed at the results. Our family and friends are all commenting on Callan’s improved posture and we are very pleased that his enthusiasm for physical activity in general has greatly increased,” Ms McBride said.

“We no longer have to negotiate a deal on taking the dog for a walk! Callan has also had a noticeable weight loss and we often catch him admiring his new physique in the bathroom mirror.”

Ms McBride said she was grateful for the AMP it up programme, Professor Hands’ unwavering positivity and Notre Dame’s Exercise Science students who volunteered their time to make a difference in her son’s life.

“This is the miracle I have prayed for. I often wonder if they realise how they have truly turned our lives around,” she said. “The simple fact that Callan is always looking forward to his sessions at AMP it up is a small miracle in itself, let alone the amazing transformation in Callan’s physical wellbeing.”

Roshan one step closer to priesthood for Bunbury

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

For the first time for the parish of Applecross, Bishop of Bunbury Gerard Holohan ordained Roshan Fernando to the Diaconate at St Benedict’s Church, Applecross, last Wednesday, 3 November.

The ordination took place in the Applecross church because Roshan did his pastoral placement for six months in the Applecross parish, teaching at the school and visiting parishioners’ homes.

Concelebrants were Fr Tony Chiera, Vicar-General of the Bunbury Diocese, Mgr Kevin Long, Rector of St Charles’ Seminary and Applecross Parish Priest, Fr Peter Whitely.

Bishop Holohan said before the Mass that this was a great celebration for the diocese of Bunbury, to which Roshan, 38, is attached.

He also thanked Parish Priest Fr Peter Whitely for “generously making the church available.”

The Bishop said in his homily: “In so many ways, God has shaped (Roshan) to this point. His family will be with us in March next year at his ordination to priesthood.

“It is important to understand what it is about. The starting point is Jesus, who called people to do His teaching.

“That he sent out the 72 and came back 12, Jesus supported them by giving them the example of the Lord’s Prayer.

“It is a challenge to Christians in the modern world. In many ways we are in conflict with society, a materialistic society.

“Parents know what I am warning about – they worry about the values their children will take.

“The first thing that Jesus taught them was that they were to be companions - without that relationship the ministry doesn’t work.

“We know Christ works through every Christian – through the ordained, starting with the Apostles . . . then there is the Ascension,

as a deacon. He has been called before he was born – he will experience fulfilment and peace.”

In his speech after the ceremony, Deacon Roshan thanked Bishop Gerard of Bunbury, all staff and relatives, and Fr Peter Whitely, and all parishioners of Applecross, for their encouragement and support.

“Please continue to pray for me and be assured of my love and prayers,” he said.

Parish Priest of Applecross, Fr Whitely quipped: “We hoped it would be someone from the parish, not someone from Bunbury diocese.

“Seminarians are always starving.

“There is tonnes and tonnes of food, like a WA country parish – please join us after the celebrations.”

Hymns from soloist Joe Orifici and Tony Harris’ new CD Singing Praises to God were sung by the choir of the Applecross parish in glorious tones.

The next day, Deacon Roshan told The Record that he was born in Sri Lanka and entered the (Redemptorist) National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka at the age of 18.

Starring Caitlin

as Mary MacKillop

With

John Aitken

Alinta Carroll

Corinne Davies

Brendan Ewing

Richard Mellick

Alysha McGreevy

Jay Walsh

Charlotte Westrip

Director

John Senczuk

Lighting

Trent Suidgeest

“A

Pentecost, they handed on the responsibility to give to others.

“St Paul did that too. The Apostles called some to share the ministry. For example, in Applecross, they work in their mission to serve.

“The ministry of priests will be about serving people. Jesus tried to reach out to others. He (Roshan) will serve as the instrument of Christ the Good Shepherd.

“In one way, Roshan will live in the person of Christ when he gives a homily.

“Whether preparing a couple for marriage, or students in the classroom, Roshan’s service will be in the person of Christ.”

Bishop Holohan continued: “Roshan receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders to serve the Church

He said he did one year of Novitiate and passed his Bachelor of Philosophy.

Roshan worked in Verona in Italy in a five-star hotel near the house of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet for five years and said he “speaks Italian better than English.”

His desire to become a priest “was there deep within my heart,” and he told his parents and some of his friends.

He came to Australia in July 2007 and entered St Charles’ Seminary, Guildford, and has been studying at the University of Notre Dame Australia at Fremantle.

He hopes to be ordained in the newly-completed St Patrick’s Cathedral in Bunbury in March next year.

Wonderful moment for Peacheys with Benedict

Continued from Page 1 movement’s money where its mouth is with thousands of volunteer hours put into supporting women and girls as they go through tumultuous events in their lives.

The Association sees hundreds of women and girls a year and its office walls are regularly decorated with the letters of thanks from mothers, together with the photographs of the babies whose lives have been touched by Pregnancy Assistance’s support.

Brian Peachey is also the editor of the monthly, pro-life magazine Abundant Life

The surprise personal meeting with Pope Benedict XVI had been engineered by Archbishop Hickey, who was leading a pilgrimage of more than 40 West Australians, including the Peacheys, to Rome for the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop. Archbishop Hickey wrote to the Prefect of the Papal Household in May shortly after he and Mr Peachey began preparing for the pilgrimage; the latest in many that Mr Peachey has organised for the Archbishop.

The Archbishop requested that Mr and Mrs Peachey be given what is known as the bacciamano (kiss on the hand) privilege of meeting the Holy Father personally.

“I warmly recommend this cou-

ple as eminently worthy of such a privilege. They have raised a family of eight children and have been married for 53 years,” the Archbishop wrote.

“Brian Peachey has been a leader in pro-life movements since he was a young man and is known widely for his indefatigable efforts at every political and social level for the rights of unborn children.

“He is also President of Pregnancy Assistance, a Catholic Association that provides counselling, support and accommodation for women with pregnancy problems.

“His wife has supported him fully in all his activities. Both are daily communicants. I know that they would consider a bacciamano meeting with the Holy Father to be the highlight of their entire lives.”

Mr Peachey later told The Record he had been virtually dumbstruck by the encounter and could not recall clearly what he had said to the Holy Father.

The meeting had lasted longer than he expected and was one of the highlights of his life.

“It was overpowering. I couldn’t tell you what I said or what he said. I was overawed. But it was an important thing to meet such an individual.

“He is a great man and an honourable man, who is often under attack.”

Great occasion: Newly ordained Deacon Roshan Fernando, above, stands with Redemptoris Mater Rector Fr Michael Moore SM in the background after the ordination ceremony at St Benedict’s Church in Applecross on November 3, and later with Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury and fellow clergy who turned out in force on the evening to welcome him into the ranks of the ordained.

PHOTO: GLYNNIS GRAINGER

Mercies farewell Sr Mary Bosco

BY GLYNNIS GRAINGER

A Mercy nun who would have celebrated her Diamond Jubilee next year passed away peacefully on 17 October 17 at Catherine McAuley Nursing Home, Wembley after a long illness.

Sister Mary Bosco Costello was born Margaret Costello in the seaside town of Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland on 11 August 1923.

She was 87 years of age.

Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, at Mercy Aged Care, Wembley on 21 October and the eulogy was delivered by Sr Marcella Blake.

She had a sister, Sr Mary Annette, who had entered the Victoria Square Convent 10 years earlier – a teacher, who had a great welcome for Margaret.

Sr Blake said in her eulogy: “Margaret had a great sense of service to others and, in her novitiate training, she came to believe that she would like to become a nurse.

Sr Bosco left Ireland for Western Australia in May 1948 on the ship Strathaird and arrived in Perth in mid-June, commencing her religious training.

‘Having completed a four year course in religious life, she went to St Anne’s Mercy Hospital, in Mt Lawley.”

Sr Bosco was professed on 2 February 1951 and was a loved member of the Sisters of Mercy Perth for 59 years.

“As a general nurse, Sr Bosco was a highly intelligent woman,” Sr Blake said in her eulogy.

“Her General Nursing training and Midwifery, and a Coronary Care Course at Royal Perth Hospital, gave her great scope to

Hamilton Hill says thanks

Mount Carmel Parish, Hilton have said farewell to five stalwarts of their community life.

The community said goodbye to acolytes Peter Curtin, Tom Kearns and Des O’Sullivan at last Sunday’s 9am Mass.

After his homily, Fr Pat Lim presented each of the men with a framed blessing from the Pope in thanks for their efforts.

It was also time to say farewell to Barbara and Des O’Sullivanparishioners and volunteers in the parish for 13 years.

Fr Pat thanked Barbara for her efforts as a catechist, educating children for the Sacraments, and Des for his work in the parish, including his work as parish manager.

EUGEN MATTES

perfect her profession . . . she was totally committed to her patients.”

Sr Bosco also studied at the WA Institute of Technology (WAIT), later named Curtin University of Technology in 1987.

A person of few words, Sr Bosco pursued her medical knowledge with great professional skill and was very well liked by all.

Patients loved her, her sensitivity to their needs and her generosity with her time.

In 1990, she retired to Ward Clerk position and did a spirituality course at Kairos.

She kept in touch with the staff with whom she had worked, but had no regrets about moving on, accepting God’s Will for her.

Sr Bosco kept in close touch with her family in Ireland – her last holiday with them was in 2004.

A very positive person, a special calmness pervaded her right up to her final illness and last days.

Her cousin, Sr Mercedes Griffin, is her remaining link with the Mercy Congregation.

Magnifico!

Real Christian men talks

BY MARK REIDY

“Where will the priests come from? Where will families and the community find their examples of men living their faith?”

So asks the men’s apostolate MenAlive in the lead up to two retreats and a talk they are involved with this month.

They are inviting males aged 15 years and up to join retreats at Willetton Catholic Parish on 20-21 November and at Infant

are finding that they have lost clarity and direction in their role in society, particularly as men of faith.

“Yet men still have an obligation to constantly strive to be better fathers, husbands, brothers and friends. Many must find themselves wondering how they are doing? Many must wonder who to turn to for support, guidance and help?” Mr Bowman said.

Jesus Parish Morley on 27-28 November.

The organisation has also been promoting a talk to be given by charismatic speaker Robert Falzon on 24 November; hosted by the Knights of the Southern Cross at Notre Dame University, Fremantle.

MenAlive team member and Willetton Parish Council Chairman, Simon Bowman said the retreats would deliver talks, testimonies, discussion and time for men to reflect.

“In today’s world, many men

With so few men attending parish masses regularly, examples of faith-filled manhood are scarce and in need of replenishment.

Mr Bowman said that the MenAlive retreat is designed to meet this need.

“The retreat allows men to celebrate their role, discover a greater inner purpose and find an appropriately masculine expression of their faith in action.”

For more information: Willetton retreat 9332 5992; Morley retreat 9276 8336; talk by Robert Falzon 9470 4922.

Caritas directors meet to plan 2011 Lenten Project Compassion

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

CARITAS diocesan directors from Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton and Darwin converged in Perth on 20-21 October with senior Caritas Sydney staff to prepare for the 2011 Lenten launch of Project Compassion in WA and the Territory.

Fundraising coordinator, Janita Suter, who was in Perth for the meeting, had visited Caritasfunded projects and seen the difference they made to the lives of locals living in dire straits.

Subsistence farmer and father of three, Kaluram, 33, lives on the Nepalese plains - a country vulnerable to flooding, droughts and

fires. He attended a Caritas run Farmer Field School programme with 25 other poor farmers in 2006 and his story of hope will feature in the first week of Caritas Australia’s Lenten appeal for funding next year.

Prior to 2006, Kaluram was not a trained farmer, and would do heavy manual labour in the heat of the day. By doing the Farmer Field School for a whole season, he learnt how to seed space, use fewer seeds and not use chemical pesticides.

The local people read the signs and noticed the effect the new farming methods were having and were surprised, Janita said.

They did not believe re-spacing seedlings could work and when

they saw what was going on, they encouraged each other to learn because they could see the difference, she said.

The agency is in communication with local experts to ensure that the charity is reaching the most vulnerable, the poorest of the poor, people with disabilities and women, she said.

“Accessing those people is a real challenge but the local community know where they are,” said Janita.

Over the six weeks of Lent, Caritas will try to reach its supporters in Catholic parishes, schools and organisations to inspire them to donate to Project Compassion.

Stories about the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia,

Vietnam and Samoa as well as with the Australian Indigenous, will feature one week at a time during Lent.

In 2011, $5,000 could enable 250 poor Nepalese farmers to attend a season-long farmer field school in rice or vegetable growing. Or $500 could support village cooperatives in Nepal to provide micro-credit and savings services for 150 people.

Caritas WA regional coordinator Jim Smith said that Caritas Project Compassion provided an opportunity “to share what we have with those who lack basic human rights - food, water, shelter, healthcare and education”.

In 2010, Project Compassion raised $9.3 million.

Conscience: Caritas

Perth prepares to join in Pope’s global Vigil for life

Continued from Page 1 and dignity and to invoke the Lord’s protection over every human being called into existence.”

This call to prayer for all nascent life, life which is just beginning to exist and develop, is important.

Abortion has a great impact on our community. Australian statistics show one in four women have experienced an abortion with some studies indicating it is actually now as great as one in three women. Abortion affects our whole society with many women and men grieving and traumatised by their experience.

Yes, abortion is a difficult issue to discuss; many of us have friends or family who have had an abortion and we can avoid the issue because we may not know what to say or don’t want to be seen as judgemental.

Society often portrays it as a solution to the problem of an unexpected pregnancy and allows women “to get on with their lives” but this is not the reality of the experience for many women and men.

The death of the unborn child is only the beginning of a destructive legacy of the human suffering that is abortion. There are many parents who grieve and suffer because of their children’s death. We must always be sensitive to these parents who suffer such deep grief. Regardless of what stage of grief they are in, whether isolated and despairing, in denial or full of anger.

When we speak of abortion, we must always speak with compassion and care to the parents of the unborn, as we would to any parent who has lost a child. We must always be aware of the pressures our society puts on women and couples not to give birth to their children.

Our gentle words can give hope. When we speak with compassion and care, we reach out, we promote healing. Our willingness to listen

“Tsupports a nurturing environment where women and men can begin to look at themselves and their experience with an open heart.

Woman’s lives are all too often being shattered because of abortion. Men, too, are frequently acting out their abortion pain in unhealthy and destructive ways and children are suffering second generational trauma because of their parent’s abortion.

When we reflect on this, we can

he Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you His forgiveness and His peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defenders of everyone’s right to life. Through your commitment to life … you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life”.

Evangelium Vitae, John Paul II No 99

begin to see why Mother Teresa spoke of abortion as being the biggest destroyer of world peace. The healing and prevention of abortion go hand in hand.

When woman and men can heal and speak about the enormous harm abortion has done to them, then and only then will support for abortion dry up.

Nascent human life is also at risk through science and the use of embryos for research.

“GThe Church does not condemn the motives of couples seeking to overcome infertility problems or scientific research to seek cures to illness and disability but says that in using some methods such as IVF and embryonic research, we do harm to ourselves, our children, our societies and to the dignity of the human person.

The Church seeks not to judge but to bring new understanding, forgiveness and peace.

od’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his mother’s womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because He sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26) in each one. He makes no distinction because he perceives in all of them a reflection of the face of His Only begotten Son.

This boundless and almost incomprehensible love of God for the human being reveals the degree to which the human person deserves to be loved in himself, independently of any other considerationintelligence, beauty, health, youth, integrity, and so forth. In short, human life is always a good, for it “is a manifestation of God in the world, a sign of His presence, a trace of His glory”.

Pope Benedict XVI

“AShe wants ultimately to bring about a change of heart and to transform our community into a civilisation of love, a society where human life and dignity are never exploited or harmed.

Advent is a time when we wait with anticipation the birth of Christ.

As we begin to prepare for the birth of Christ, this vigil gives us all a chance to reflect and pray in communion for every human life.

t the dawn of salvation, it is the Birth of a Child which proclaimed as joyful news: “I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk2:10-11) The source of this ‘great joy” is the Birth of the Saviour; but Christmas also reveals the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the Birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every human child born into the world (cf Jn 16:21)”.

Evangelium Vitae, No.1, Pope John Paul II

With Him: Pope Benedict XVI leads exposition of the Eucharist during a prayer vigil with some 10,000 priests as part of the closing of the Year for Priests in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican in June. On 27 November the Holy Father is asking all Catholics to join him in praying “for all nascent life.”

PHOTO: CNS/PAUL HARING

Australia’s Janita Suter with materials to help raise awareness of the needs of others.

PHOTO: BRIDGET SPINKS

Priests gather at St Charles for patron’s feast day

Progress: The plaque commemorating the beginning of the new chapel, above. Earlier, Bishops Justin Bianchini, Donald Sproxton and Christopher Saunders gathered with Archbishop Hickey and Rector Mgr Kevin Long to concelebrate Mass with fellow clergy. The Mass was served by seminarians from St Charles, and also attended by seminarians from the Neocatechumenal Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley. Archbishop Hickey was also able to present special Certificates of Appreciation from the Bishops and Clergy of the Archdiocese to Fathers Lim, below left, Rathnaraj, Hewitt and Savickis.

BY BRIDGET SPINKS

Approximately 120 Bishops, priests, deacons and seminarians from across the state of WA gathered at St Charles Seminary on 8 November for the annual St Charles’ Day Jubilarian Mass and lunch.

Archbishop Hickey of Perth, Bishop Saunders of Broome, Bishop Bianchini of Geraldton, Auxiliary Bishop Sproxton and Bishop Holohan of Bunbury were present at the Seminary early in the day for the West Australian provincial meeting of Bishops.

All but Bishop Holohan, who was called away unexpectedly, were able to stay to celebrate the feast day of the patron saint of St Charles Seminary, St Charles Borromeo.

Once Mass finished, Mgr Kevin Long, rector of St Charles’ Seminary, announced to the surprise of all the gathered clergy that a new chapel would be built on

the grounds of the seminary in the coming year. He then introduced Fred Chaney of Cox Architects to speak about the plans.

After this, Mgr Long invited the clergy and seminarians to move outdoors to the proposed site of the seminary’s new chapel overlooking the Swan River flood plain.

Archbishop Hickey blessed the site, turned the first sod and then unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The chapel will be a welcome addition to the seminary, because at present a converted refectory is being used for Mass.

Archbishop Hickey honoured several Jubilarians on the day including Fr Ted Hewitt, Fr Joseph Rathnaraj and Fr Alfonsas Savickis, who were all ordained in 1970 and were marking their 40th anniversary as priests. Fr Nicholas Perrera, Fr Patrick Lim and Fr Peter Growney (who is retired overseas) were honoured on the occasion of their 25th anniversary.

Jubilee: Fathers Ted Hewitt, Joseph Rathnaraj, Alfonsas Savikis and Patrick Lim prepare to cut the cake as they celebrate their 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood (all were ordained in 1970). After the Mass for the Feast of St Charles and the turning of the first sod by Archbishop Hickey in preparation for building of the Seminary’s chapel, a pleasant outdoors lunch was enjoyed by all.

PHOTOS: FR ROBERT CROSS

Benedict XVI consecrates Gaudí

Architect has meaning: during Spanish visit Holy Father also takes the opportunity to warn countries of the danger

Here is the complete text of the homily given by Pope Benedict at the consecration of La Sagrada Familia

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep … The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:911). With these words from the first reading that we have proclaimed, I wish to greet all of you taking part in this celebration. I extend an affectionate greeting to their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, who have graciously wished to be with us. I extend a thankful greeting to Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona, for his words of welcome and for his invitation to me to dedicate this Church of the Sagrada Familia, a magnificent achievement of engineering, art and faith. I also greet Cardinal Ricardo María Carles Gordó, Archbishop Emeritus of Barcelona, the other Cardinals present and my brother Bishops, especially the Auxiliary Bishop of this local church, and the many priests, deacons, seminarians, Religious men and women, and lay faithful taking part in this solemn ceremony. I also extend a respectful greeting to the national, regional and local authorities present, as well as to the members of other Christian communities, who share in our joy and our grateful praise of God.

Today marks an important step in a long history of hope, work and generosity that has gone on for more than a century. At this time, I would like to mention each and every one of those who have made possible the joy that fills us today, from the promoters to the executors of this work, the architects and the workers, all who in one way or another have given their priceless contribution to the building of this edifice. We remember of course the man who was the soul and the artisan of this project, Antoni Gaudí, a creative architect and a practising Christian who kept the torch of his faith alight to the end of his life, a life lived in dignity and absolute austerity. This event is also in a certain sense the high point of the history of this land of Catalonia which, especially since the end of the 19th century, has given an abundance of saints and founders, martyrs and Christian poets. It is a history of holiness, artistic and poetic creation, born from the faith, which we gather and present to God today as an offering in this Eucharist.

The joy which I feel at presiding at this ceremony became all the greater when I learned that this shrine, since its beginnings, has had a special relationship with Saint Joseph. I have been moved above all by Gaudí’s confidence when, in the face of many difficulties, filled with trust in divine Providence, he would exclaim, “Saint Joseph will finish this church”. So it is significant that it is also being dedicated by a Pope whose baptismal name is Joseph.

What do we do when we dedicate this church? In the heart of the world, placed before God and mankind, with a humble and joyful act of faith, we raise up this massive material structure, fruit of nature and an immense achievement of

human intelligence which gave birth to this work of art. It stands as a visible sign of the invisible God, to whose glory these spires rise like arrows pointing towards absolute light and to the One who is Light, Height and Beauty itself.

In this place, Gaudí desired to unify that inspiration which came to him from the three books which nourished him as a man, as a believer and as an architect: the book of nature, the book of sacred Scripture and the book of the liturgy. In this way, he brought together the reality of the world and the history of salvation, as recounted in the Bible and made present in the liturgy. He made stones, trees and human life part of the church so that all creation might come together in praise of God, but at the same time he brought the sacred images outside so as to place before people the mystery of God revealed in the birth, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this way, he brilliantly helped to build our human consciousness, anchored in the world yet open to God, enlightened and sanctified by Christ. In this, he accomplished one of the most important tasks of our times: overcoming the division between human consciousness and Christian consciousness, between living in this temporal world and being open to eternal life, between the beauty of things and God as beauty. Antoni Gaudí did this not with words but with stones, lines, planes, and points. Indeed, beauty is one of mankind’s greatest needs; it is the root from which the branches of our peace and the fruits of our hope come forth. Beauty also reveals God because, like Him, a work of beauty is pure gratuity; it calls us to freedom and draws us away from selfishness. We have dedicated this sacred space to God, who revealed and gave himself to us in Christ so as to be definitively God among men. The revealed Word, the humanity of Christ and His Church are the three supreme expressions of his self-manifestation and self-giving

Breathtaking: La Sagrada Familia was begun in 1882 and is due for completion in 2026. Pope Benedict XVI, above, celebrates Mass to consecrate the Basilica in Barcelona on 7 November. Later, the Holy Father led the Angelus outside the newly consecrated Basilica. PHOTOS, TOP: CNS /JESUS DIGES; BELOW: CNS /ALBERT GEA, REUTERS

masterpiece: La Sagrada Familia

of no longer being at the loving service of their citizens as he urges the faithful to bring Christ’s message of hope to all people

to mankind. As says Saint Paul in the second reading: “Let each man take care how he builds. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:10-11). The Lord Jesus is the stone which supports the weight of the world,

“In this, Gaudí accomplished one of the most important tasks of our times: overcoming the division between human consciousness and Christian consciousness, between living in this temporal world and being open to eternal life, between the beauty of things and God as beauty.”

which maintains the cohesion of the Church and brings together in ultimate unity all the achievements of mankind. In Him, we have God’s word and presence and from Him the Church receives her life, her teaching and her mission. The Church of herself is nothing; she is called to be the sign and instrument of Christ, in pure docility to His authority and in total service to His mandate. The one Christ is the foundation of the one Church. He is the rock on which our faith is built. Building on this faith, let us strive together to show the world the face of God who is love and the only one who can respond to our yearning for fulfilment. This is the great task before us: to show everyone that God is a God of peace not of violence, of freedom not of coercion, of harmony not of discord. In this sense, I consider that the dedication of this church

of the Sagrada Familia is an event of great importance, at a time in which man claims to be able to build his life without God, as if God had nothing to say to him.

In this masterpiece, Gaudí shows us that God is the true measure of man; that the secret of authentic originality consists, as he himself said, in returning to one’s origin which is God. Gaudí, by opening his spirit to God, was capable of creating in this city a space of beauty, faith and hope which leads man to an encounter with Him who is truth and beauty itself. The architect expressed his sentiments in the following words: “A church [is] the only thing worthy of representing the soul of a people, for religion is the most elevated reality in man”. This affirmation of God brings with it the supreme affirmation and protection of the dignity of each and every man and woman: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple? … God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (1 Cor 3:16-17). Here we find joined together the truth and dignity of God and the truth and dignity of man. As we consecrate the altar of this church, which has Christ as its foundation, we are presenting to the world a God who is the friend of man and we invite men and women to become friends of God. This is what we are taught in the case of Zacchaeus, of whom today’s Gospel speaks (Lk 19:1-10). If we allow God into our hearts and into our world, if we allow Christ to live in our hearts, we will not regret it: we will experience the joy of sharing His very life, as the object of His infinite love.

This church began as an initiative of the Association of the Friends of Saint Joseph, who wanted to dedicate it to the Holy Family of Nazareth. The home formed by Jesus, Mary and Joseph has always been regarded as a school of love, prayer and work. The promoters of this church wanted to set before the world love, work and service lived in the presence of God, as the Holy Family lived them. Life has changed greatly and with it enormous progress has been made in the technical, social and cultural spheres. We cannot simply remain content with these advances. Alongside them, there also need to be moral advances, such as in care, protection and assistance to families, inasmuch as the generous and indissoluble love of a man

means so that women may find in the home and at work their full development, that men and women who contract marriage and form a family receive decisive support from the state, that lives of children may be defended as sacred and inviolable from the moment of their conception, that the reality of birth be given due respect and receive juridical, social and legislative support. For this reason, the Church resists every form of denial of human life and gives its support to everything that would promote the natural order in the sphere of the institution of the family.

“I

f we allow God into our hearts and into our world, if we allow Christ to live in our hearts, we will not regret it.”

 POPE BENEDICT

and a woman is the effective context and foundation of human life in its gestation, birth, growth and natural end. Only where love and faithfulness are present can true freedom come to birth and endure. For this reason, the Church advocates adequate economic and social

As I contemplate with admiration this sacred space of marvellous beauty, of so much faith-filled history, I ask God that in the land of Catalonia new witnesses of holiness may rise up and flourish, and

present to the world the great service that the Church can and must offer to humanity: to be an icon of divine beauty, a burning flame of charity, a path so that the world may believe in the One whom God has sent (cf Jn 6:29).

Dear brothers and sisters, as I dedicate this splendid church, I implore the Lord of our lives that, from this altar, which will now be anointed with holy oil and upon which the sacrifice of the love of Christ will be consumed, there may be a flood of grace and charity upon the city of Barcelona and its people, and upon the whole world. May these fruitful waters fill with faith and apostolic vitality this Archdiocesan Church, its pastors and its faithful.

Finally, I wish to commend to the loving protection of the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy, April Rose, Mother of Mercy, all who enter here and all who in word or deed, in silence and prayer, have made possible this marvel of architecture. May Our Lady present to her divine Son the joys and tribulations of all who come in the future to this sacred place so that here, as the Church prays when dedicating religious buildings, the poor may find mercy, the oppressed true freedom and all men may take on the dignity of the children of God. Amen.

More coverage of Pope Benedict’s visit to Spain - Pages 15 and 16

All for Him: Pope Benedict XVI elevates the chalice during Mass to consecrate the Basilica. Below: Light pours into the Basilica designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926).

PHOTOS: CNS/STEFANO RELLANDINI, REUTERS

XVI

 POPE BENEDICT XVI

Perth pilgrims walk in the fo

Pilgrimage is an ancient tradition in the Church, but still going strong in the 21st century ...

Over 40 pilgrims walked with Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey through the Holy Land as a prelude to the canonisation of St Mary of the Cross in Rome.

When the 43 pilgrims arrived in Amman, the capital of the Kingdom of Jordan and home to over three million people, Archbishop Hickey celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass for their safe arrival in the Church of Our Lady of Nazareth on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, 2 October.

The next day, the pilgrimage began with Mass on Mt Nebo, the Biblical place where Moses and the Israelites reached freedom and finished their journey out of captive slavery in Egypt. God commanded Moses

to ‘Climb Mount Nebo, that mountain of the Abarim range … and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving the sons of Israel … die on the mountain you have climbed’ (Deut 48-50).

Mass was celebrated in the Franciscan chapel on the mountain. From then on until departure for Rome, Mass was celebrated each day using the Mass book published by Archbishop Hickey.

Pilgrims read the Scripture, sang the hymns and prayed the Psalms in the Latin Vicariate of Jordan and crossed over into Israel.

They were then led through Jericho to the Mount of Beatitudes, Nazareth, Gethsemane, Bethlehem, Ein Karem and, lastly, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

At each site, Archbishop Hickey celebrated daily Mass. The pilgrims renewed their baptismal vows in the River Jordan with water thrown by the Archbishop from a yellow hat and those who were married pledged again in the church at Cana.

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ootsteps of Moses

In Pictures...

Starting at top left:

1 Meeting in the Vicariate of Jordan

2 Archbishop Hickey and his sister Judith sit in the Ampitheatre at Jerash

3 The pilgrims at Jerash, 48km north of Amman

4 A Muslim anti-Christian sign outside the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem

5 The Chapel on the Mount of Beatitudes

6 Mass in the chapel below the Church of Nativity, centre of Page 10

7 The pilgrims on the Sea of Galilee, centre of Page 11

Continuing at bottom left:

8 Archbishop Hickey celebrates Mass at the Eleventh Station of the Cross in the Church of the Holy Sepuchre in Jerusalem

9 Andrew Grimm at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem

10 Pilgrims in the Ampitheatre at Jerash

11 Andrea Hancock reading at the mass on Mount Nebo

12 Bessie Courtinho at the baptismal site at the River Jordan

PHOTOS COURTESY: BRIAN PEACHEY

Vatican confirms request of five Anglican bishops to join church

B Y S ARAH D ELANEY CNS WITH S IMON C ALDWELL IN MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

Five Anglican bishops have decided to join the Catholic Church and step down from their current positions with the Church of England, a Vatican spokesman said.

Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed to reporters a statement issued on 8 November by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales welcoming the five bishops.

Father Lombardi said that a “constitution” that would govern the entry of former bishops of the Anglican Communion was being studied.

One year ago, Pope Benedict XVI established a special structure for Anglicans who want to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage. The move was seen as a bridge to those unhappy with recent Anglican decisions on the ordination of women and the acceptance of homosexuality in some areas.

Fr Lombardi said, “Regarding the declaration of five bishops until

now belonging to the Anglican Communion who have decided to join the Catholic Church and who therefore are obliged by conscience to resign from their current pastoral duties in the Church of England, we can confirm that the constitution of a first ordinariate is under study, according to the norms established by the Apostolic Constitution ‘Anglicanorum coetibus,’ and that any further decisions regarding this will be communicated at the proper moment”.

Under the arrangement Anglicans can be received into the Catholic Church as a group while retaining their distinctive patrimony and liturgical practices, including married priests.

Fr Lombardi was referring to a statement issued on 8 November by the Episcopal Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales that said, “We welcome the decision of Bishops Andrew Burnham, Keith Newton, John Broadhurst, Edwin Barnes and David Silk to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate for England and Wales, which will be established under the provisions of the apostolic constitution ‘Anglicanorum coetibus.’”

“At our plenary session next week, the Catholic Bishops’

Conference of England and Wales will be exploring the establishment of the ordinariate and the warm welcome we will be extending to those who seek to be part of it. Further information will be made known after the meeting.”

The statement was signed by Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster, the highest-ranking former Anglican priest in England and Wales. He joined the Catholic Church in 1994 after the Church of England agreed to ordain women as priests.

A statement from Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury said he would initiate the process for filling the vacant sees.

In a joint statement released on 8 November the five bishops, who resigned their posts effective 31 December, said that despite ecumenical efforts, they had been “dismayed, over the last 30 years, to see Anglicans and Catholics move further apart on some of the issues of the day.”

They said they were particularly “distressed by developments in faith and order in Anglicanism which we believe to be incompatible with the historic vocation of Anglicanism and the tradition of the church for nearly 2,000 years.”

The five said that “Anglicanorum

coetibus” was “both a generous response to various approaches to the Holy See for help and a bold, new ecumenical instrument in the search for the unity of Christians, the unity for which Christ himself prayed before his passion and death.”

“It is a unity, we believe, which is possible only in eucharistic communion with the successor of St. Peter,” they said.

“As bishops, we have evenhandedly cared for those who have shared our understanding and those who have taken a different view,” they added.

“We have now reached the point, however, where we must formally declare our position and invite others who share it to join us on our journey.

“We shall be ceasing, therefore, from public episcopal ministry forthwith, resigning from our pastoral responsibilities in the Church of England” and joining an ordinariate once one is created, they said.

The bishops said they were “very grateful for all that the Church of England has meant for us and given to us all these years, and we hope to maintain close and warm relationships, praying and working together for the coming of God’s Kingdom.”

Vatican warns on splinter group devoted to angels

BY CAROL GLATZ CNS

The Vatican’s doctrinal office has asked the world’s Bishops to be vigilant over the activities of a “wayward movement” of members of the Opus Angelorum church association.

The Vatican said the splinter movement was trying to revive practices banned 18 years ago, including liturgical ceremonies that focus on angels.

The organisation, whose name is Latin for “work of angels,” was reformed after a 1992 Vatican decree and today is a “public association of the church in conformity with traditional doctrine and with the directives of the Holy See,” wrote Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, the congregation’s secretary.

The group “spreads devotion to the holy angels among the faithful, exhorts them to pray for priests, and promotes love for Christ in his Passion and union with it,” said the letter sent to the presidents of the world’s bishops’ conferences.

The letter, dated 2 October, was released to journalists on 4 November and was published the same day in the Vatican newspaper,

L’Osservatore Romano. The letter said that after its successful normalisation, Opus Angelorum is in communion with the church, and “there are no remaining obstacles of a doctrinal or disciplinary kind which would prevent local ordinaries from receiving this movement into their dioceses and prompting its development.”

But it said bishops should be aware that there are a certain number of members, including priests who left or were expelled from the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, who “have not accepted the norms given by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and seek to restore what, according to them, would be the ‘authentic Opus Angelorum.’”

The splinter movement “professes and practices all those things which were forbidden” by earlier Vatican documents, it said.

The congregation said that “very discrete propaganda in favour of this wayward movement, which is outside of any ecclesial control, is taking place, aimed at presenting it as if it were in full communion with the Catholic Church.”

For that reason, it said, it was urging bishops to be “vigilant with regard to such activities, disruptive as they are of ecclesial commun-

ion, and to forbid them if they are present within their dioceses.”

The organisation was founded in Innsbruck, Austria, and stems from the alleged 1946 private revelations received by Gabriele Bitterlich. She reported visions of the world of angels in which their individual names and specific tasks were revealed.

In 1983, the doctrinal congregation released a letter ordering the group to end some of its practices and beliefs. However, the letter’s orders “were not interpreted and executed correctly,” the congregation said in a follow-up decree released in 1992.

The 1992 decree said that the angel beliefs and practices of the organisation “are foreign to Holy Scripture and tradition and therefore cannot serve as a basis of spirituality and for the activities of a church-approved association.”

Theories springing from the “presumed revelations” of Mrs Bitterlich “can be neither taught nor in any way utilised, explicitly or implicitly,” by Opus Angelorum, it said.

“The different forms of consecration to the angels practiced by Opus Angelorum are prohibited,” the 1992 decree said, adding that the group was to follow strictly all

liturgical laws, especially relating to the Eucharist.

Other prohibitions included the practice of exorcisms that did not follow church rules and the administration of sacraments from a distance.

A Vatican-appointed delegate was named to oversee compliance of the 1992 decree and to regularize the relationship between Opus Angelorum and the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross.

In 2000, the doctrinal congregation approved the formula of a consecration to the Holy Angels for Opus Angelorum and the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life approved the statutes of the Opus Sanctorum Angelorum

Opus Angelorum is under the direction of the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, whose central government was named by the Vatican in 1993 and was able to elect its own superior general and general council members in 2009.

The Bishop of Innsbruck approved the Constitutions of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

The group is active in Austria, Germany, Brazil, Portugal and the United States.

Less is more: Vatican meeting cuts the speeches

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - By Vatican standards, it’s a small revolution: A pontifical council is holding a major assembly without prepared speeches. Participants in the Pontifical Council for Culture’s mid-November plenary meeting have been told to prepare for free discussion instead. The main theme of the encounter is communication, and someone decided that the old model - hours of reading prepared texts - just was not working anymore.

Those who have sat through Vatican meetings will appreciate

just how radical this innovation really is. Reading speeches has been the main activity at Roman Curia assemblies for as long as anyone can remember. There is no prize for brevity, either. Being long-winded is a point of pride at these encounters: The feeling among speakers is that if you don’t go overtime, you should not really be on the rostrum. For years, outside participants, especially those from the United States, have quietly complained that such overly structured snoozefests left little or no time for real discussion. Their

protests are now being taken seriously, aided in part by the digital media explosion. Perhaps someone simply took a look around the room. At one recent Vatican meeting, as officials read their speeches, many in the audience were texting or working on their mini-laptops. Archbishop Claudio Celli’s Pontifical Council for Social Communications recently began looking seriously at the issue of language and made it the theme of its next plenary meeting in 2011. Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the communications council, fired an

opening salvo in an article earlier this year. He said bluntly that the church relies too much on texts, often using a vocabulary that is “unintelligible and off-putting” to its audiences. Now the Pontifical Council for Culture has taken up the banner, too. Not only will written texts be absent, but its meeting is being moved out of the Vatican and into the public square - to Rome’s city hall, where guests from other walks of life, including the arts and business, have been invited to take part in the conversation.

in brief...

Pope says daily meditation can help Christians clean their consciences

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Pope Benedict XVI said daily meditation on the life of Christ is a good way for people to grow spiritually and remove the “trash” from their consciences. The Pope, addressing pilgrims at his weekly general audience on 3 November, said a 13th-century French mystic, St. Marguerite d’Oingt, offered an example of such spiritual selfreflection to modern men and women. The saint, whose writings taught readers how to meditate, saw Christ as a “mirror” that allows light into one’s soul, the Pope said. “In this way she was transformed, and her conscience was enlightened and cleansedand this is something we also need. The words, the life and the light of Christ can illuminate what is good and true, and what is evil, too,” he said. “There is trash not only in the various streets of the world but also in our consciences, in our souls. And only the light of the Lord cleans us and purifies us, showing us the right way,” he added. He said that while at first glance the life of a medieval mystic might seem irrelevant to people today, her spiritual journey holds many lessons. St. Marguerite viewed life as a path of perfection leading to complete configuration to Christ, above all in his saving sacrifice on the cross, he said. The Pope this European autumn began a series of audiences on women and their contributions to Church life, especially focusing on the holiness of their lives and the richness of their teaching. So far, the eight women the pope has spoken about have all been saints and blesseds who lived in the Middle Ages.

Priestly conversion needed for credible church reform, pope

says

VATICAN CITY (CNS)Personal conversion and purification, especially for priests, are critical steps in the process of true and credible reform of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI said. The Church community today is experiencing “trials and suffering, and it shows the need for purification and reform,” he said. The Pope made his remarks in a written message on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the 1 November canonisation of St. Charles Borromeo. A copy of the message, addressed to Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan, was released to journalists on 4 November, the feast of St. Charles. Pope Benedict recalled how St. Charles, who was Archbishop of Milan, was a major influence in the Church’s counter-reformation movement. At the time, the Church community suffered from major divisions, “doctrinal confusions, faith and customs whose purity was clouded, and the bad example of various sacred ministers,” he said. “St. Charles did not limit himself to deploring or condemning” the problems or just hoping for others to change, he said. Rather, he began by reforming his own life, relinquishing all wealth and comfort and filling his life with prayer, penance and dedication to his flock, said the pope. At every moment in history, the most fundamental and urgent task of the church is for every member to convert and get closer to God, he said.

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THE WORLD

Cuba opens first seminary in 50 years

HAVANA (CNS) - In a ceremony joined by President Raul Castro, Cuba’s Catholic Bishops inaugurated the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary on 3 November, the country’s first major church-related construction in the half century since the revolution led by Fidel Castro.

Joined by Cuba’s Bishops and representatives of the Vatican and of the Catholic Church in the United States, Mexico, Italy and the Bahamas, Havana Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino noted that the late Pope John Paul II blessed the first stone of the new seminary at a Mass during his January 1998 visit to the island.

At that point, then-President Fidel Castro pledged his support for the project, the Cardinal said.

“That promise has been faithfully completed,” he said, adding his thanks to the Castros, “that this work was completed properly with the help of the state.”

Among the 300 guests attending the official opening were the Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba, Archbishop Giovanni Becciu; Miami Archbishop Thomas G Wenski; Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus; and Mexican Archbishop Emilio Berlie Belaunzaran of Yucatan. Cuban government representatives included the foreign minister, the minister of culture, the head of the office of religious affairs of the ruling Communist Party and the historian of Havana.

A message sent in the name of Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped the seminary’s inauguration would be “a sign and a stimulus for a renewed commitment to strive for careful human, spiritual and academic preparation” for priestly ministry. The message, sent to Cardinal Ortega by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, invited seminarians to “increasingly identify themselves with the sentiments of Christ the Good Shepherd through assiduous prayer, serious dedication to study, humbly listening to the divine word, dignified celebration of the sacraments and courageous witness of His love as authentic disciples and missionaries of the Gospel of salvation”.

The seminary, which can house 100 people, will open to students next year on 54 acres of former farmland southeast of Havana.

The Mexican newspaper La Jornada explained that in 1966, in the early days of the Castro regime when tensions with the Church were high, the Church was forced

to turn over to the government the previous San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary, built in 1948.

Classes were moved to a classic colonial cloister in Havana’s historic district, where they have been located ever since. That building will become a cultural centre and studio, housing a library and space for exhibitions, concerts, theatre and film screenings.

The country’s only other Catholic seminary is in Santiago de Cuba, on the southeastern coast.

Construction of the new San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary began in 2006. The stone blessed by Pope John Paul rests in a glass case at the seminary’s entrance.

The Church covered the total cost of the work with donations from individuals, communities and international Catholic institutions. Cardinal Ortega specifically thanked donors, including the Bishops’ conferences of the United States, Italy and Germany; the Pontifical Commission for Latin

America; the Knights of Columbus; and Catholics in the United States, France, Spain and several Latin American countries.

The opening of San Carlos and San Ambrosio takes place at a time of marked improvement in relations between the Catholic Church and the state, after 50 years of ups and downs.

Analysts describe the current situation as “more relaxed” since a dialogue process that began with a meeting in May between Raul Castro, Cardinal Ortega and Santiago Archbishop Dionisio Garcia Ibanez, president of the Cuban Bishops’ conference.

As a result of that dialogue, in July the Cuban government began a process of releasing political prisoners. As of 21 October, 47 prisoners had been released on the condition that they voluntarily leave for Spain. Some are reportedly in the process of seeking residency in the United States, where many of the ex-prisoners have family.

Church charities join fight against diseases from Pakistani floods

BY ANTO AKKARA CNS WITH RITA F ITCH IN VATICAN CITY

BANGALORE, India (CNS)Church charities have joined the Pakistani government and other charity workers to fight growing health care problems that have gripped the victims of the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history.

“The water has receded, but the flood victims are now faced with serious health problems,” said Eric Dayal, national coordinator for disaster management of Caritas Pakistan, the local arm of the international Catholic charitable network.

“We are sending our medical teams to remote areas where other agencies have not reached,” Dayal told Catholic News Service from his office in Lahore on 3 November.

More than 20 million people were affected and more than 1,600 people died in floods that began in July with incessant rains in Pakistan’s mountainous north and inundated the length and breadth of the nation within a month.

Due to lack of clean drinking water and breading of mosquitoes in stagnant waters, diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dengue and malaria have spread rapidly among the flood victims.

The World Health Organisation confirmed 99 cases of cholera and 300,000 suspected cases of malaria among the displaced.

Pakistan’s health department reported that by 28 October, nearly 2.3 million flood victims have been treated in 236 relief camps for various diseases, while 176 people have died, including 64 from diarrhoea linked to lack of clean drinking water.

Nearly 480 people have died of snake bites because the habitats of the snakes were disturbed by the flooding.

Dayal said nearly 10,000 people in remote areas have been treated in two dozen medical camps run by Caritas in Multan, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad dioceses.

“The health impact of the flood is coming out now. Waterborne diseases are on the rise,” said Dr Mariam Richard, a professor at the Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Lahore.

“Mosquitoes are breeding in stagnant waters and dengue has now reached epidemic proportions even among those not affected by the floods,” she told CNS.

She also said flood victims are suffering from skin diseases and respiratory problems due to lack of access to clean water.

“Enough attention is not being paid to women and children who are suffering from acute malnutrition,” she added.

Relief workers said more than 1,200 babies have been born in camps, while government health workers have documented 1,700 deliveries among other flood victims, many of them homeless.

Jack Byrne, country representative of the US Bishops’ Catholic Relief Services, told CNS that after providing the initial emergency relief supplies, the agency began focusing on clean drinking water and hygiene awareness.

Besides targeting water sources such as flooded wells and tanks, Byrne said, CRS is distributing water purifying kits and spreading awareness about hygiene among flood victims.

Camillian Father Aris Miranda, a member of the Camillian Task Force working in Pakistan, told Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, “The main risk of possible further outbreak of dengue fever is death on a massive scale and spread of diseases such as malnutrition, prevalent among children.”

Fides, citing the international aid agency Oxfam, said only 35 percent of the requested $2 billion needed for recovery efforts in Pakistan has been collected. Even regular food rations are in danger of running out and vast areas of the Sindh are still flooded, Oxfam reported.

Catholic policy agenda unchanged by election results, say panellists

BY NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN CNS

Despite the “endless, endless commercials” during the 2010 political cycle, “you didn’t hear much about the poor and vulnerable,” said John Carr, executive director of the US Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.

“Nobody talked about themDemocratic or Republican,” said Carr, who participated with two others in a panel discussion about Catholic policy priorities following the 2 November election.

Nevertheless, the Catholic public policy agenda in the lame-duck Congress that will complete its work this year and in the 112th Congress that convenes in January will remain focused on the poor, the unborn, the immigrant and other vulnerable populations, the panellists told participants on 5 November in the Eastern regional convention of the Catholic Press Association in Baltimore.

Along with Maria Odom, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC, and Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the US Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, Carr looked forward after the election, saying that campaign rhetoric or the results in terms of parties are not the Catholic Church’s focus.

“Our focus is the least of these,” he said. “And that is not the focus of Washington, no matter who is in charge.”

Carr said that during the coming debate on tax policy, “there will be a huge argument on how people at the top get taxed.”

“But we are not focused on that fight,” he said. “We are looking at how it affects the most vulnerable,” such as those making less than $30,000 a year.

He said Catholic lobbyists will work to get a refundable child tax credit and to preserve and expand the earned income tax credit.

Doerflinger agreed with Carr

that the Catholic position “does not at all line up with” either political party, saying that Church lobbyists on life issues look instead at whether a member of Congress can be considered a solid vote on the pro-life side.

By that criteria, “the pro-life agenda picked up 44 votes in the House and six in the Senate, according to NARAL (Pro-Choice America),” a group that lobbies to expand abortion access in the United States, Doerflinger said. He added that the contingent of pro-life Democrats in the Senate “increased by 50 percent” - from two to three - with the election of former Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Catholic priorities on life-related legislation in the next months, Doerflinger said, will include passage of the Protect Life Act and the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act to ensure conscience protections and a ban on abortion funding in the health reform and

other laws; appropriations and reauthorisations bills that could include abortion funding in military hospitals or foreign aid programmes, for example; and guarding against any expansion of government funds for embryonic stem-cell research.

He noted that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada had indicated a post-election willingness “to look at how to tweak the health care bill.” The Catholic Bishops - who supported health reform but ultimately opposed the bill because of deficiencies they saw in the areas of abortion funding, conscience protection and inclusion of immigrants - “could be his best allies if Reid wants to make changes that will build support,” said Doerflinger. Odom said the Catholic priorities on immigration include support for global anti-poverty initiatives that address the root causes of migration, expansion of opportunities for family reunification,

and passage of the DREAM Act that would help the children of undocumented immigrants work toward legal status and get a college education.

In addition, she said, the US Bishops believe that “comprehensive immigration reform is necessary” for the estimated 10 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants. “They want them to be able to live out of the shadows in safety and dignity,” Odom added.

She urged members of the Catholic press to help “change hearts and minds” on the immigration issue by telling the stories of immigrants in ways that help readers “understand we are not that different from the person who crosses the border.”

Faced with an inability to provide for our children or threats to our family’s safety, “we would do the same for our children,” Odom said. “But we are not seeing that shared values conversation these days.”

The new national Catholic seminary in Cuba (above). Cuban President Raul Castro (below right) joined Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami (below left) and other Catholic leaders to open the seminary, the first Catholic construction on the island in more than a half century.

PHOTOS: CNS/DESMOND BOYLAN, REUTERS

Papal Homily by pilgrim, Benedict XVI in Santiago de Compostela

Pope Benedict XVI began this Papal Address on 6 November, on the occasion of the Compostelian Jubilee Year, in Galician. He then spoke in Castilian Spanish, thus giving primary recognition to the regional identity of Galicia which houses the Cathedral and the relics of St James the Apostle

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, I give thanks to God for the gift of being here in this splendid square filled with artistic, cultural and spiritual significance. During this Holy Year, I come among you as a pilgrim among pilgrims, in the company of all those who come here thirsting for faith in the Risen Christ, a faith proclaimed and transmitted with fidelity by the apostles, among whom was James the Great, who has been venerated at Compostela from time immemorial.

(In Spanish): I extend my gratitude to the Most Reverend Julián Barrio Barrio, Archbishop of this local church, for his words of welcome, to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Asturias for the kind presence, and likewise to the Cardinals and to my many Brother Bishops and priests here today. My greeting also goes to members of the Camino de Santiago group of the European Parliament, as well as to the national, regional and local authorities who are attending this celebration. This is eloquent of respect for the Successor of Peter and also of the profound emotion that Saint James of Compostela awakens in Galicia and in the other peoples of Spain, which recognises the Apostle as its patron and protector. I also extend warm greetings to the consecrated persons, seminarians and lay faithful who take part in this Eucharistic celebration, and in a very special way I greet the pilgrims who carry on the genuine spirit of Saint James, without which little or nothing can be understood of what takes place here.

With admirable simplicity, the first reading states: “The apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord with great power” (Acts 4:33). Indeed, at the beginning of all that Christianity has been and still is, we are confronted not with a human deed or project, but with God, who declares Jesus to be just and holy in the face of the sentence of a human tribunal that con-

demned him as a blasphemer and a subversive; God who rescued Jesus from death; God who will do justice to all who have been unjustly treated in history.

The apostles proclaim: “We are witnesses to these things and so is the Holy Spirit whom God gives to those who are obedient to Him” (Acts 5:32). Thus they gave witness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, whom they knew as He preached and worked miracles. Brothers and sisters, today we are called to follow the example of the apostles, coming to know the Lord better day by day and bearing clear and valiant witness to His Gospel. We have no greater treasure to offer to our contemporaries. In this way, we will imitate Saint Paul who, in the midst of so many tribulations, setbacks and solitude, joyfully exclaimed: “We have this treasure in earthenware vessels, to show that such transcendent power does not come from us” (2 Cor 4:7).

Beside these words of the Apostle of the Gentiles stand those of the Gospel that we have just heard; they invite us to draw life from the humility of Christ who, following in every way the will of His Father, came to serve, “to give His life in ransom for many” (Mt 20:28). For those disciples who seek to follow and imitate Christ, service of neighbour is no mere option but an essential part of their being. It is a service that is not measured by worldly standards of what is immediate, material or apparent, but one that makes present the love of God to all in every way and bears witness to Him even in the simplest of actions. Proposing this new way of dealing with one another within the community, based on the logic of love and service, Jesus also addresses “the rulers of the nations” since, where self-giving to others is lacking, there arise forms of arrogance and exploitation that leave no room for an authentic integral human promotion. I would like this message to reach all young people: this core content of the Gospel shows you in particular the path by which, in renouncing a selfish and short-sighted way of thinking so common today, and taking on instead Jesus’ own way of thinking, you may attain fulfilment and become a seed of hope.

The celebration of this Holy Year of Compostela also brings this to mind. This is what, in the secret of their heart, knowing it explic-

Aboard the Papal plane en camino to Spain

Benedict XVI participated in a press conference with journalists aboard his flight on 6 November en route to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi, posed the questions on behalf of the journalists.

Fr Lombardi: Your Holiness, in the message for the recent congress on shrines that took place, in fact, at Santiago de Compostela, you said that you are living your pontificate with the sentiments of a pilgrim. On your coat of arms there is also the scallop shell of the pilgrim. Would you like to tell us something about your perspective on this pilgrimage, in your personal life too and in your spirituality, and about the thoughts you have as you travel as a pilgrim to Santiago?

solemnity, and this courage to be in the tradition but with a new creativity that renews the tradition and thus show the unity and progress of history; it is a beautiful thing.

itly or sensing it without being able to express it, so many pilgrims experience as they walk the way to Santiago de Compostela to embrace the Apostle. The fatigue of the journey, the variety of landscapes, their encounter with peoples of other nationalities - all of this opens their heart to what is the deepest and most common bond that unites us as human beings: we are in quest, we need truth and beauty, we need an experience of grace, charity, peace, forgiveness and redemption. And in the depth of each of us there resounds the presence of God and the working of the Holy Spirit. Yes, to everyone who seeks inner silence, who keeps passions, desires and immediate occupations at a distance, to the one who prays, God grants the light to find Him and to acknowledge Christ. Deep down, all those who come on pilgrimage to Santiago do so in order to encounter God who, reflected in the majesty of Christ, welcomes and blesses them as they reach the Pórtico de la Gloria.

From this place, as a messenger of the Gospel sealed by the blood of Peter and James, I raise my eyes to the Europe that came in pilgrimage to Compostela. What are its great needs, fears and hopes? What is the specific and fundamental contribution of the Church to that Europe which for half a century has been moving towards new forms and projects? Her contribution is centred on a simple and decisive reality: God exists and He has given us life.

He alone is absolute, faithful and unfailing love, that infinite goal that is glimpsed behind the good, the true and the beautiful things of this world, admirable indeed, but insufficient for the human heart. Saint Teresa of Jesus understood this when she wrote: “God alone suffices”.

Tragically, above all in 19th century Europe, the conviction grew that God is somehow man’s antagonist and an enemy of his freedom.

As a result, there was an attempt to obscure the true biblical faith in the God who sent into the world his Son Jesus Christ, so that no one should perish but that all might have eternal life (cf Jn 3:16). The author of the Book of Wisdom, faced with a paganism in which God envied or despised humans, puts it clearly: how could God have created all things if he did not love Please turn to Page 16

Benedict XVI: Hello! I can say that being on a journey is already inscribed in my biography. But this is perhaps something external; nevertheless, it makes me think of the instability of this life, of being on a journey. Of pilgrimages one could say: God is everywhere, there is no need to go to another place, but it is also true that faith, according to its essence, is being a pilgrim.

The Letter to the Hebrews shows [this] in the figure of Abraham, who leaves his land and remains a pilgrim toward the future all of his life, and this Abrahamic movement remains in the act of faith, it is being a pilgrim above all interiorly, but it must also express itself exteriorly. Sometimes, leaving behind the everyday, the world of the useful, of practical goals, leaving it behind only to be truly on the path to transcendence, transcending oneself and the everyday and thus also finding a new freedom, a time of interior rethinking, of identifying oneself, to see the other, God, and in this way it is also always being on a pilgrimage: not only a leaving behind of self but also a travelling together. The pilgrimage reunites, we are going together to the other and thus we both rediscover each other.

Let me just say that the trips taken to Santiago de Compostela are an element in the spiritual formation of the European continent. Making a pilgrimage here constitutes, has constituted the common European identity, and today too this movement is being reborn, these dreams of being in spiritual and physical movement, of this person or that finding himself and thus to find silence, freedom, renewal, and to find God.

Fr Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness. Now let’s turn our gaze to Barcelona. What meaning can the consecration of a church such as the Sagrada Familia [Holy Family] at the beginning of the 21st century? And is there some specific aspect of the vision of [Antoni] Gaudí that has particularly struck you?

Benedict XVI: In reality, this Cathedral is also a sign precisely for our time. There are above all three elements that I find in Gaudí’s vision. This synthesis between continuity and the new, tradition and creativity. Gaudí had this courage to insert himself in the great tradition of the Cathedrals, to dare - in his century, with a totally new vision - once again the reality of the Cathedral, the place of meeting between God and man in great

Secondly, Gaudí desired this trinomial: the book of nature, the book of Scripture, the book of the liturgy. And precisely today this synthesis is of great importance. In the liturgy, the Scripture becomes present, becomes reality today, it is no longer a bit of writing from 2,000 years ago but is celebrated, realised. And in the celebration of Scripture nature speaks, it meets creation and finds its true response, because, as St Paul says, creation suffers –and instead of being destroyed, despised – awaits the children of God, that is, those who see it in the light of God. And thus this synthesis between the meaning of creation, Scripture and adoration is indeed a very important message for today.

And finally, the third point, this Cathedral was born from a devotion typical of the 19th century: St Joseph, the Holy Family of Nazareth, the mystery of Nazareth, but precisely this devotion of yesterday, one could say, is of very great relevance because of the problem of the family, of the renewal of the family as the basic cell of society – it is today’s big issue and tells us where we can go both in building society and in the unity between faith and life, between religion and society. The family is the fundamental theme that is expressed here, saying that God himself became the child of a family and calls us to build and live family.

Fr Lombardi: And continuing along this line, Gaudí and the Sagrada Familia represent, as you said, the binomial of faith and art. How can faith rediscover its place today in the world of art and culture? Is this one of the important themes of your pontificate?

Benedict XVI: Yes. You know that I very much insist on the relationship between faith and reason, that faith, the Christian faith, has its identity only in opening up to reason, and that reason becomes itself if it transcends itself toward faith.

But the relationship between faith and art is in the same way important, because truththe goal and life of reason - is expressed in beauty and becomes itself in beauty, it finds itself as beauty. And so where there is truth beauty must be born, where man realises himself in the way that is proper and good, he expresses himself in beauty. The relationship between truth and beauty cannot be broken and this is why we need beauty.

In the Church at the beginning, even in the very modest and impoverished time of the persecutions, art, painting, the expressing of God’s salvation in images of the world, song, and then also in architecture, all of this is constitutive for the Church and always remains constitutive. Thus the Church was mother of the arts for centuries and centuries, the great treasury of art – music, architecture, painting – was born in the Church from faith. Today there is a certain dissonance, but this hurts both art and faith: art that loses its root in transcendence, that no longer moves toward God, would be an

Please turn to Page 16

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass outside the 12th century Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain on 6 November. The Mass took place in the Plaza del Obradoiro, Santiago de Compostela.

PHOTO: CNS/MIGUEL VIDAL, REUTERS

People, art need transcendent values to be complete: Pope

BY CAROL GLATZ CNS

Pope Benedict XVI warned countries of the danger of no longer being at the loving service of their citizens as he urged the faithful to bring Christ’s message of hope to all people.

During a two day journey to a once staunchly Catholic Spain, the Pope sought to bolster and renew people’s faith in God and convince an increasingly secular society that the Church wants dialogue, not confrontation.

The Pope’s 6-7 November visit, his 18th trip abroad, brought him first to one of Catholicism’s most popular and ancient pilgrimage sites, Santiago de Compostela, and then Barcelona, where he consecrated the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

During the 7 November Mass in which he blessed and anointed the altar of the church dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, he said Christians must resist every attack on human life and promote the natural institution of the family.

Under the government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who came to power in 2004, Spain has relaxed its divorce laws, eased restrictions on abortion, legalised same-sex marriage and allowed gay couples to adopt.

In his homily, the Pope praised the technical, social and cultural progress made over the years. However, he said, a country must also advance morally.

He asked that courts, legislative bodies and society respect and defend the sacred and inviolable life of the child from the moment of conception.

“For this reason, the Church resists every form of denial of human life and gives its support to everything that would promote the natural order in the sphere of the institution of the family” based on marriage between a man and a woman, he said.

More than 6,000 people filled the church, which the Pope elevated to a minor basilica during the Mass. Another 50,000 people followed the event outside on 33 jumbo screens that dotted the surrounding streets and squares. A “kiss-in” protest of

Continued from page 15

them, he who in his infinite fullness, has need of nothing (cf Wis 11:24-26)? Why would He have revealed Himself to human beings if He did not wish to take care of them? God is the origin of our being and the foundation and apex of our freedom, not its opponent. How can mortal man build a firm foundation and how can the sinner be reconciled with himself? How can it be that there is public silence with regard to the first and essential reality of human life? How can what is most decisive in life be confined to the purely private sphere or banished to the shadows? We cannot live in darkness, without seeing the light of the sun. How is it then that God, who is the light of every mind, the power of every will and the magnet of every heart, be denied the right to propose the light that dissipates all darkness? This is why we need to hear God once again under the skies of Europe; may this holy word not be spoken in vain, and may it not be put at the service of purposes other than its own. It needs to be spoken in a holy way. And we must hear it in this way in ordinary life, in the silence of work, in brotherly love and in the difficulties that years bring on.

Europe must open itself to God, must come to meet Him without fear, and work with His grace for that human dignity which was

about 200 people happened along the Pope’s motorcade route, as gay rights advocates kissed as the vehicle passed. At least 200,000 people lined the streets of the city to see the Pope, according to city authorities.

The church is the masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, a Catholic whose beatification cause is under way.

The Pope sprinkled the main altar with holy water and rubbed chrism oil into the immense, roughly hewn block of rosecoloured stone.

The basilica interior was bathed in golden light as Spanish Bishops anointed some of the white treelike columns branching out to support the 200-foot-high vaulted ceilings.

While the papal trip was not an official state visit, the Pope was greeted upon landing in heavy fog in Santiago de Compostela by Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias, Spanish Cardinals and Bishops, and government authorities from the local, regional and national level.

During an outdoor Mass celebrated in front of the 12th century Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on 6 November, the Pope said when societies and gov-

discerned by her best traditions: not only the biblical, at the basis of this order, but also the classical, the mediaeval and the modern, the matrix from which the great philosophical, literary, cultural and social masterpieces of Europe were born.

This God and this man were concretely and historically manifested in Christ. It is this Christ whom we can find all along the way to Compostela for, at every juncture, there is a cross which welcomes and points the way. The cross, which is the supreme sign of love brought to its extreme and hence both gift and pardon, must be our guiding star in the night of time. The cross and love, the cross and light have been synonymous in our history because Christ allowed himself to hang there in order to give us the supreme witness of His love, to invite us to forgiveness and reconciliation, to teach us how to overcome evil with good. So do not fail to learn the lessons of that Christ whom we encounter at the crossroads of our journey and our whole life, in whom God comes forth to meet us as our friend, father and guide. Blessed Cross, shine always upon the lands of Europe!

Allow me here to point out the glory of man, and to indicate the threats to his dignity resulting from the privation of his essential values and richness, and the

for an authentic integral human promotion,” the Pope said.

The Pope came as a pilgrim to commemorate the holy year of St James, which occurs every time the feast of St James - 25 July - falls on a Sunday.

To go on pilgrimage is a chance to “step out of ourselves in order to encounter God” and experience conversion, he said in remarks earlier in the day inside the city’s Cathedral.

He took part in some of the traditional pilgrim rituals such as kneeling in prayer in the small crypt housing the apostle’s tomb, walking through the holy door and admiring the immense stone and silver-plated statue of St James that most pilgrims embrace.

The Pope also lit a large silver incense burner, called a botafumeiro in Galician. Nine men pulled on thick ropes attached to a pulley that made the large burner swing across the church at impressive speed.

on 7 November, the Pope visited Obra Nen Deu, a centre run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart for children with mental disabilities.

The Pope urged Christians to keep offering financial support for charitable works even at a time of economic crisis.

Precisely because so many more people are facing economic hardship, Christians “must multiply concrete gestures of effective and constant solidarity,” he said.

New scientific and medical advancements must always respect human life and dignity, he said.

Those who suffer from illness and physical or mental challenges need love and attention, not marginalisation because of their limitations, he said.

ernments are no longer at the loving service of all people, then arrogance and exploitation risk snuffing out true human development and fulfillment.

Only by loving and serving others like Jesus did, even with the simplest of gestures, will humanity regain a sense of happiness and hope, he said.

About 6,000 people filled the tiny square to capacity and 200,000 more were present in the small city, lining the streets and squares, according to local authorities. The Cathedral bells tolled and pilgrims cheered and screamed “Viva el papa!”

For the past century, a growing belief has taken hold of Europe, suggesting that God is an “antagonist and enemy” of human freedom, he said in his homily in Compostela’s Plaza del Obradoiro.

As a result, he said, human dignity is threatened because it has been stripped of its “essential values and riches” and “the weakest and poorest” in the world are marginalised and left to die.

Even Jesus knew that when the rulers of nations no longer serve the best interests of others, “there arise forms of arrogance and exploitation that leave no room

marginalisation and death visited upon the weakest and the poorest. One cannot worship God without taking care of his sons and daughters; and man cannot be served without asking who his Father is and answering the question about him. The Europe of science and technology, the Europe of civilisation and culture, must be at the same time a Europe open to transcendence and fraternity with other continents, and open to the living and true God, starting with the living and true man. This is what the Church wishes to contribute to Europe: to be watchful for God and for man, based on the understanding of both which is offered to us in Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, let us raise our eyes in hope to all that God has promised and offers us. May He give us His strength; may He reinvigorate the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela; may He renew the faith of His sons and daughters and assist them in fidelity to their vocation to sow and strengthen the Gospel, at home and abroad.

(In Galician): May Saint James, the companion of the Lord, obtain abundant blessings for Galicia and the other peoples of Spain, elsewhere in Europe and overseas, wherever the Apostle is a sign of Christian identity and a promoter of the proclamation of Christ.

Source: Zenit.org

After the Mass in Barcelona

Continued from page 15 art that is incomplete (dimezzata), would lose its vital root; and a faith whose art is only from the past, would no longer be a faith that is in the present. Thus, the dialogue or meeting, I would say, between art and faith is inscribed in the deepest essence of the faith; we must do all we can even today for faith to express itself in authentic art, like Gaudí in continuity and newness, and for art so that it does not lose contact with faith.

Fr Lombardi: The new dicastery for the new evangelisation is being launched in these months. And many have asked whether, in fact, Spain, with the developments of secularisation and the rapid diminishment of religious practice, is a country about which you thought of as being an objective for the new dicastery, or whether it is not really the principal objective … Benedict XVI: With this dicastery I thought per se of the whole world because the newness of thought, the difficulty of thinking in the terms of Scripture, of theology, is universal, but naturally there is a centre and this is the Western world with its secularism, its laicism, and the continuity of faith that must try to renew itself to be faith today and to respond to the challenge of atheism.

In the West, all the major countries have their own way of manifesting this problem: we travelled, for example, to France, to the Czech Republic, to the United Kingdom, where this same problem is present everywhere in a way that is specific to this nation, to this history, and this is also true in a very real way for Spain.

Spain has always been, on the one hand, a foundational country for the faith. We think of the rebirth of Catholicism in the modern epoch that occurred above all thanks to Spain [with] such figures as St Ignatius of Loyola, St Teresa of Avila and St John [of the Cross]; they are figures who finally renew Catholicism and formed the physiognomy of modern Catholicism.

But it is equally true that in Spain a laicism was born, an anti-clericalism, a strong and aggressive secularism, as we saw precisely in the 1930s, and this dispute, more, this conflict, between faith and modernity, both very lively, occurs today too in Spain: thus for the future of faith and the engagement - not

The Pope met in Barcelona with King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia and held a brief private meeting with Prime Minister Zapatero at the Barcelona airport before taking off for Rome.

the conflict! - but the engagement between faith and laicism, has a central point even precisely in Spanish culture. In this sense, I thought precisely of all the great countries of the West but above all also of Spain.

Fr Lombardi: With the trip to Madrid next year for World Youth Day, you will have made three trips to Spain, something that has not happened for any other country. Why this privilege? Is it a sign of love or of special worry?

Benedict XVI: Naturally, it is a sign of love. You could say that it is by chance that I will have gone to Spain three times. The first was the great international meeting of families in Valencia: How can the Pope be absent if the families of the world meet?

Next year, World Youth Day, the meeting of the youth of the world in Madrid, and the Pope cannot be absent on this occasion. And finally we have the holy year of St James, we have the consecration after more than 100 years of work of the Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, how can the Pope not come? So, the occasions themselves are challenges, almost a necessity to go, but just the fact that precisely in Spain so many events are focused really shows that it is country full of dynamism, full of the power of faith, and faith responds to challenges that are equally present in Spain: this is why we say that chance brought me here, but this chance demonstrates a deeper reality, the power of faith and the power of challenge for faith.

Fr Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness. And now if you would like to say something further to conclude this meeting of ours, is there some special message that you hope to give to Spain to the world today on this trip?

Benedict XVI: I would say that this trip has two themes. It has the theme of pilgrimage, of being on the journey, and it has the theme of beauty, of the expression of truth in beauty, of the continuity between tradition and renewal. I think that these two themes of the trip are also a message: be on the journey, do not lose the journey of faith, seek the beauty of faith, the newness and tradition of the faith that knows how to express itself and knows how to engage with modern beauty, with the world of today. Thank you.

Pope Benedict XVI meets with Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia after arriving to consecrate the Church of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, on November 7.

PHOTO: CNS/ANDRES BALLESTEROS, REUTERS

Proclaim the message, in season, and out if it

The Preaching Church

Fr James Valladares

One of the most endearing traits of children is their unstructured and unplanned candour, which, at times, can be hilariously amusing. For instance, eight-yearold Leo sat through a long and boring sermon, and when he could take it no longer, he turned to his mother and said loud enough for the preacher and the congregation to hear: “Mum, he’s such a bore. If we give him the money now, will he let us go?” So St Paul was well aware of the challenges of being a patient and persistent preacher whether the time is favourable or unfavourable.

In the recent past, 41 priests of the archdiocese of Adelaide were privileged to attend a theologically enriching, spiritually rewarding and pastorally stimulating course on Preaching in the Life and Ministry of the Priest The presenter was Fr Gregory Heille OP, Professor of Homiletics and Academic Dean at the Aquinas Institute of Theology, Saint Louis, Missouri, Uin the US.

Fr Heille’s prime goal was to assist the participants as they endeavour to fulfil their primary duty, namely, the proclamation of the Gospel of God to all. More precisely, his objective was three-fold:

• to nourish the deep purpose of preaching in terms of both spirituality and theology;

• to prepare the participants for preaching in parishes on a Sunday;

• and to provide additional skills in preaching to children and for specific audiences.

Every sovereign pontiff has clearly and emphatically reiterated St Paul’s pastoral admonition to his disciple, Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus... I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:1-2)

This is how Paul VI framed it in Evangelii Nuntiandi: “In our day, what has happened to that hidden energy of the Good News, which is able to have a powerful effect on human conscience?”

It is an incontestable fact of experience that western culture has become progressively secularised and ever more compartmentalised. And so, it is a complex challenge speaking of God and the life of the Spirit in a society, which is increasingly unaware of its spiritual malaise and its divorce from transcendental insight and values.

Further, the social concept of the common good or community

well-being is clearly relegated to the back seat.

Ironically, people are hungering for meaning; and they are avidly searching for meaning in community. As we read in the Book of Proverbs: “Without a vision the people perish.” (Prov. 29:18) In a word, there is a sense of urgency in the face of crisis. And so, the insistent directive of St Paul is both appropriate and opportune.

In an absorbing and stimulating article, entitled The Spirituality of the Preacher, Fr Edward Ruane OP very rightly says: “Throughout Church history, great preachers are called forth in light of a critical historical moment. One need only recall the periods that generated Chrysostom, Augustine, Bernard, Catherine of Siena, Savanarola, Luther, Martin Luther King, and Oscar Romero. Each of these great preachers was formed by a sense of urgency to speak God’s word at a critical time.” In a word, priests need to be aware of the power of the word and their ability to transform history in and through their ministry of preaching.

As early as 1968, this was the startling observation of Yves Congar: “I could quote a whole series of ancient texts, all saying more or less that if in one country Mass was celebrated for thirty years without preaching and in another there was preaching for thirty years without Mass, people would be more Christian in the country where there was preaching.”

In this the scholarly theologian was merely reflecting what St Paul had once said: “But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?”...So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:14-17) How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

This explains why Christ Jesus was so resolute and passionate about proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness.

The evangelist, Matthew, very specifically says: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt. 9:35-36)

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harveSt”

So, regardless of the complexities and the challenges, this is a moment of opportunity for all priests.

To quote Fr Edward Duane: “This is the moment for gospel preachers. For this opportunity to be seized, it demands a spirituality that can sustain a vibrant preaching geared to this moment in history.” Indeed, preaching is a distinct, necessary and privileged gift.

Mary’s appearance in Africa?

Q&A

By Fr John Flader

Our Lady of Kibeho

I understand that among the approved Marian apparitions is that of Kibeho, in Africa. Can you tell me something about it?

There were a number of apparitions of Our Lady to several school children in Kibeho, Rwanda, beginning in November 1981.

The first apparition took place on Saturday, 28 November 1981 to a sixteen year-old girl named Alphonsine. She was a boarder in Kibeho High School, an all girls boarding school run by nuns. She had helped to serve lunch to the girls when she felt called to leave the dining room. Out in the corridor she saw a bright light, out of which a gentle woman’s voice said “My child”. The words were repeated and then Alphonsine saw a beautiful woman floating above the floor, wearing a white dress with a white veil covering her hair, her hands folded in prayer.

When Alphonsine asked who she was, the lady answered “I am the Mother of the Word”. The lady went on to say that she wanted Alphonsine’s friends to have more faith. She asked Alphonsine to join the Legion of Mary and said she wanted to be loved by everyone so that she could lead lost souls to salvation through Jesus.

the Blessed Virgin they didn’t believe her and taunted her. Our Lady appeared to the girl again the next day, this time in her room, and several more times in December 1981. Her message was that she loves us very much and wants us during Advent to prepare for the return of Jesus, that there is a lot of hatred and sin in the world and we should pray the Rosary every day. There was also a message for the government, with its policy of discrimination against Tutsis, telling the leaders to turn their hearts to God’s love.

After each apparition Our Lady

Our Lady also appeared to other children from the school.

The second one was a pious seventeen year-old named Anathalie, from a large, devout Catholic family. One day in January 1982, while praying the Rosary with some friends in her room, she suddenly fell into a trance and saw a bright light and heard Our Lady’s voice, asking her to help save souls through a life of prayer and penance, and telling her that she would have much suffering in her life.

The third visionary was none other than Marie-Claire, who had accused the other two girls of lying and being part of a plot of the devil. She had her first vision in March 1982. With her conversion, it was now easy for others to believe that Our Lady was indeed appearing. One of the most alarming visions came on the feast of the Assumption, 15 August 1982.

Before a gathering of 20,000 people, each of the girls separately screamed in horror as they saw rivers of blood, with people hacking each other to death, and hundreds of thousands of corpses.

It was clearly a warning of the genocide that was to take the lives of more than a million Tutsis in 1994.

Our Lady asked that the people cleanse their hearts through prayer.

The lady then disappeared and Alphonsine collapsed on the floor where she lay for more than ten minutes, finally waking up surrounded by her classmates. When she explained that she had seen

in brief

Pope urges laity to evangelise for social justice

VATICAN CITY (CNS)Pope Benedict XVI said that lay Catholics have a responsibility to promote social justice and charity in a globalised world often marked by injustice and inequality. Addressing the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on 4 November, the Pope called for “renewed evangelisation of the church’s social doctrine.” Lay people, the Pope said, as “free and responsible citizens,” are invested with “the immediate task of working for a just social order.”

The Pope praised the council for promoting the formation of the laity through the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and Pope Benedict’s own Caritas in Veritate (“Charity in Truth”), the 2009 encyclical that addressed social justice issues. But lay

would tell Alphonsine when she would appear next, so that soon other people were going to the school to see for themselves and the whole country was talking about the events. During the apparitions the other girls, led by a twenty-one year-old named Marie-Claire, would verbally and physically abuse Alphonsine. On one occasion they held a burning candle under her arm and stuck a needle into her, but she did not flinch.

Catholics cannot carry out the Church’s message alone, the Pope said. “They must find priests and bishops able to offer untiring support for purification of the conscience, as well as indispensable support for the coherent witness of the social doctrine of the church.” Victims of injustice and inequality expect “words of hope” from the church and signs that God “can save humanity from its radical evils,” he said. Catholics had their work cut out for them in a world where “lies often trap men and society” and undermine solidarity, he said.

Haiti’s poverty

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CNS) - The cholera outbreak that struck Haiti is a sobering reminder of the tasks the country faces as it prepares for November’s presidential election. While newscasters talk about reconstruction, the grim truth is that much of what Haiti needs - decent housing, water, sanitation, health care, education and

On 15 August 1988, the local bishop approved public devotion linked to the apparitions of Kibeho, and the first stone of the “Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows” was laid on 28 November 1992.

On 29 June 2001 the bishop of Gikongoro issued a declaration formally approving the authenticity of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three girls. There were other people who reported having visions as well but only the visions to these three were mentioned in the declaration.

The riveting story of the apparitions is told in great detail by Immaculée Ilibagiza in her book Our Lady of Kibeho.

economic opportunities - did not exist even before the 12 January earthquake. Rural areas are even more neglected than Port-auPrince, the crowded and gridlocked capital that has been the focus of international attention since the quake. Recovery will mean not just clearing rubble and rebuilding houses, but building infrastructure, improving health care and education and investing in economic development in rural communities so farmers can stay in the countryside instead of migrating to Port-au-Prince’s slums and tent camps. January’s tragedy was a “disaster sitting on a much greater disaster, which is the structural disaster of dysfunction and grinding poverty for decades and decades,” said Scott Campbell, country director for Catholic Relief Services, the US bishops’ relief and development agency. About half of Haiti’s 10 million people live on less than a dollar a day; another quarter live on twice that amount. Half the population is under age 24, but most people have completed only primary school.

Proclaim the message, in season, and out if it

The Preaching Church

Fr James Valladares

One of the most endearing traits of children is their unstructured and unplanned candour, which, at times, can be hilariously amusing. For instance, eight-yearold Leo sat through a long and boring sermon, and when he could take it no longer, he turned to his mother and said loud enough for the preacher and the congregation to hear: “Mum, he’s such a bore. If we give him the money now, will he let us go?” So St Paul was well aware of the challenges of being a patient and persistent preacher whether the time is favourable or unfavourable.

In the recent past, 41 priests of the archdiocese of Adelaide were privileged to attend a theologically enriching, spiritually rewarding and pastorally stimulating course on Preaching in the Life and Ministry of the Priest The presenter was Fr Gregory Heille OP, Professor of Homiletics and Academic Dean at the Aquinas Institute of Theology, Saint Louis, Missouri, Uin the US.

Fr Heille’s prime goal was to assist the participants as they endeavour to fulfil their primary duty, namely, the proclamation of the Gospel of God to all. More precisely, his objective was three-fold:

• to nourish the deep purpose of preaching in terms of both spirituality and theology;

• to prepare the participants for preaching in parishes on a Sunday;

• and to provide additional skills in preaching to children and for specific audiences.

Every sovereign pontiff has clearly and emphatically reiterated St Paul’s pastoral admonition to his disciple, Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus... I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:1-2)

This is how Paul VI framed it in Evangelii Nuntiandi: “In our day, what has happened to that hidden energy of the Good News, which is able to have a powerful effect on human conscience?”

It is an incontestable fact of experience that western culture has become progressively secularised and ever more compartmentalised. And so, it is a complex challenge speaking of God and the life of the Spirit in a society, which is increasingly unaware of its spiritual malaise and its divorce from transcendental insight and values.

Further, the social concept of the common good or community

well-being is clearly relegated to the back seat.

Ironically, people are hungering for meaning; and they are avidly searching for meaning in community. As we read in the Book of Proverbs: “Without a vision the people perish.” (Prov. 29:18) In a word, there is a sense of urgency in the face of crisis. And so, the insistent directive of St Paul is both appropriate and opportune.

In an absorbing and stimulating article, entitled The Spirituality of the Preacher, Fr Edward Ruane OP very rightly says: “Throughout Church history, great preachers are called forth in light of a critical historical moment. One need only recall the periods that generated Chrysostom, Augustine, Bernard, Catherine of Siena, Savanarola, Luther, Martin Luther King, and Oscar Romero. Each of these great preachers was formed by a sense of urgency to speak God’s word at a critical time.” In a word, priests need to be aware of the power of the word and their ability to transform history in and through their ministry of preaching.

As early as 1968, this was the startling observation of Yves Congar: “I could quote a whole series of ancient texts, all saying more or less that if in one country Mass was celebrated for thirty years without preaching and in another there was preaching for thirty years without Mass, people would be more Christian in the country where there was preaching.”

In this the scholarly theologian was merely reflecting what St Paul had once said: “But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?”...So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:14-17) How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

This explains why Christ Jesus was so resolute and passionate about proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness.

The evangelist, Matthew, very specifically says: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt. 9:35-36)

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harveSt”

So, regardless of the complexities and the challenges, this is a moment of opportunity for all priests.

To quote Fr Edward Duane: “This is the moment for gospel preachers. For this opportunity to be seized, it demands a spirituality that can sustain a vibrant preaching geared to this moment in history.” Indeed, preaching is a distinct, necessary and privileged gift.

Mary’s appearance in Africa?

Q&A

By Fr John Flader

Our Lady of Kibeho

I understand that among the approved Marian apparitions is that of Kibeho, in Africa. Can you tell me something about it?

There were a number of apparitions of Our Lady to several school children in Kibeho, Rwanda, beginning in November 1981.

The first apparition took place on Saturday, 28 November 1981 to a sixteen year-old girl named Alphonsine. She was a boarder in Kibeho High School, an all girls boarding school run by nuns. She had helped to serve lunch to the girls when she felt called to leave the dining room. Out in the corridor she saw a bright light, out of which a gentle woman’s voice said “My child”. The words were repeated and then Alphonsine saw a beautiful woman floating above the floor, wearing a white dress with a white veil covering her hair, her hands folded in prayer.

When Alphonsine asked who she was, the lady answered “I am the Mother of the Word”. The lady went on to say that she wanted Alphonsine’s friends to have more faith. She asked Alphonsine to join the Legion of Mary and said she wanted to be loved by everyone so that she could lead lost souls to salvation through Jesus.

the Blessed Virgin they didn’t believe her and taunted her. Our Lady appeared to the girl again the next day, this time in her room, and several more times in December 1981. Her message was that she loves us very much and wants us during Advent to prepare for the return of Jesus, that there is a lot of hatred and sin in the world and we should pray the Rosary every day. There was also a message for the government, with its policy of discrimination against Tutsis, telling the leaders to turn their hearts to God’s love.

After each apparition Our Lady

Our Lady also appeared to other children from the school.

The second one was a pious seventeen year-old named Anathalie, from a large, devout Catholic family. One day in January 1982, while praying the Rosary with some friends in her room, she suddenly fell into a trance and saw a bright light and heard Our Lady’s voice, asking her to help save souls through a life of prayer and penance, and telling her that she would have much suffering in her life.

The third visionary was none other than Marie-Claire, who had accused the other two girls of lying and being part of a plot of the devil. She had her first vision in March 1982. With her conversion, it was now easy for others to believe that Our Lady was indeed appearing. One of the most alarming visions came on the feast of the Assumption, 15 August 1982.

Before a gathering of 20,000 people, each of the girls separately screamed in horror as they saw rivers of blood, with people hacking each other to death, and hundreds of thousands of corpses.

It was clearly a warning of the genocide that was to take the lives of more than a million Tutsis in 1994.

Our Lady asked that the people cleanse their hearts through prayer.

The lady then disappeared and Alphonsine collapsed on the floor where she lay for more than ten minutes, finally waking up surrounded by her classmates. When she explained that she had seen

in brief

Pope urges laity to evangelise for social justice

VATICAN CITY (CNS)Pope Benedict XVI said that lay Catholics have a responsibility to promote social justice and charity in a globalised world often marked by injustice and inequality. Addressing the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on 4 November, the Pope called for “renewed evangelisation of the church’s social doctrine.” Lay people, the Pope said, as “free and responsible citizens,” are invested with “the immediate task of working for a just social order.”

The Pope praised the council for promoting the formation of the laity through the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church and Pope Benedict’s own Caritas in Veritate (“Charity in Truth”), the 2009 encyclical that addressed social justice issues. But lay

would tell Alphonsine when she would appear next, so that soon other people were going to the school to see for themselves and the whole country was talking about the events. During the apparitions the other girls, led by a twenty-one year-old named Marie-Claire, would verbally and physically abuse Alphonsine. On one occasion they held a burning candle under her arm and stuck a needle into her, but she did not flinch.

Catholics cannot carry out the Church’s message alone, the Pope said. “They must find priests and bishops able to offer untiring support for purification of the conscience, as well as indispensable support for the coherent witness of the social doctrine of the church.” Victims of injustice and inequality expect “words of hope” from the church and signs that God “can save humanity from its radical evils,” he said. Catholics had their work cut out for them in a world where “lies often trap men and society” and undermine solidarity, he said.

Haiti’s poverty

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CNS) - The cholera outbreak that struck Haiti is a sobering reminder of the tasks the country faces as it prepares for November’s presidential election. While newscasters talk about reconstruction, the grim truth is that much of what Haiti needs - decent housing, water, sanitation, health care, education and

On 15 August 1988, the local bishop approved public devotion linked to the apparitions of Kibeho, and the first stone of the “Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows” was laid on 28 November 1992.

On 29 June 2001 the bishop of Gikongoro issued a declaration formally approving the authenticity of the apparitions of Our Lady to the three girls. There were other people who reported having visions as well but only the visions to these three were mentioned in the declaration.

The riveting story of the apparitions is told in great detail by Immaculée Ilibagiza in her book Our Lady of Kibeho.

economic opportunities - did not exist even before the 12 January earthquake. Rural areas are even more neglected than Port-auPrince, the crowded and gridlocked capital that has been the focus of international attention since the quake. Recovery will mean not just clearing rubble and rebuilding houses, but building infrastructure, improving health care and education and investing in economic development in rural communities so farmers can stay in the countryside instead of migrating to Port-au-Prince’s slums and tent camps. January’s tragedy was a “disaster sitting on a much greater disaster, which is the structural disaster of dysfunction and grinding poverty for decades and decades,” said Scott Campbell, country director for Catholic Relief Services, the US bishops’ relief and development agency. About half of Haiti’s 10 million people live on less than a dollar a day; another quarter live on twice that amount. Half the population is under age 24, but most people have completed only primary school.

Panorama entries must be in by 12pm Monday.

Contributions may be emailed to office@therecord.com.au, faxed to 9325 4580, or mailed to PO Box 3075, Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6832.

FRIDAY, 12 NOVEMBER

Children of Hope Tour – Talk and Holy Hour

7.30 -9pm St Judes Church, 20 Prendiville Way, Langford. What’s the purpose of our Life followed by Family Holy Hour lead by Fr.Antoine Thomas, csj. Light Refreshment afterwards. All welcome. Enq: Anna 0411 952 233 or eac. perth@yahoo.com.au.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Pioneers Meeting

7pm at Bioethics Centre, corner Jugan and Leeder Streets, Glendalough. To find out more about the pioneers please come and join us. Refreshments will follow. Enq: John 9457 7771.

SATURDAY, 13 NOVEMBER

St Padre Pio Day of Prayer

8.30am at Little Sisters of the Poor, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. DVD followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Divine Mercy, Silent Adoration and Benediction at 10am. 11am Mass, St Padre Pio Liturgy, Confessions available. Bring a plate for shared lunch. Tea and coffee supplied. Enq: Des 6278 1540.

Children of Hope Tour – Children and Families

Eucharistic Adoration

9 -10am at Christ the King, 61 Lefroy Road, Beaconsfield. Fr. Antoine will lead a Holy Hour for children 4 and up and teenagers, followed by a cup of tea. A great secret for family unity. All welcome. Enq: Senka 0438 403 100 or Yvonne 9430 7509 or eac.perth@yahoo.com.au.

Divine Mercy

2.30pm at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Windsor Street, East Perth. Main celebrant will be Fr Marcellinus Meilak, OFM. Prayer followed by Veneration of First Class Relic of St Faustina Kowalska. Reconciliation in English and Italian will be offered. Refreshments afterwards. Enq: John 9457 7771.

Legion of Mary – Annual Mass

11.30am at St Joachim’s Church, Shepperton Rd, Victoria Park. Celebrating the Life of Frank Duff, Servant of God 1889-1980. Legion Prayers and Rosary followed by Mass. Celebrant Rev Fr Timothy Deeter. Shared Lunch to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the First Legion Meeting. All welcome.

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER

Children of Hope Tour – Children and Families Eucharistic Adoration

1 -2pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Perth. Fr.Antoine will lead a Holy Hour for children 4 and up, teenagers. A great secret for family unity. All welcome to attend. Enq: Anna 0411 952 233 or eac.perth@yahoo.com.au.

MONDAY, 15 NOVEMBER

Children of Hope Tour – Teens Holy Hour

7-8pm at Sacred Heart Church, corner Guppy and Dean Streets, Pemberton. Fr Antoine will lead a Teen Holy Hour in the parish Church. All teenagers welcome. Enq: Bro Robert 9776 1734 or email eac.perth@yahoo.com.au.

TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER

Children of Hope Tour – Talk & Formation.

7.30 -8.30pm Saint Judes Church, 20 Prendiville Way, Langford. Challenges of Teenagers in the Third Millennium and formation of children lead by Fr.Antoine Thomas,csj. Dedicated to leading children/teenagers into the mystery of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. All welcome to attend. Enq: Anna 0411 952 233 or eac.perth@yahoo.com.au.

WEDNESDAYS  17 NOVEMBER, 24 NOVEMBER AND 1 DECEMBER

The Bible and the Mass

7.30pm-9pm at St Paul’s Church undercroft, 106 Rookwood Street, Mt Lawley. A study of the origin of our Mass texts in Sacred Scripture, presented by Fr Tim Deeter. Please bring a Bible. Enq: 9273 5253 or casapgf@ iinet.net.au.

FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER  SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER

Christ the King - Retreat Celebrating Karriholm’s 25th Anniversary

Presented by the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community will be held at Karriholm-God’s Sanctuary. Enq: Joyce 9776 1397 or hsofpemberton@gmail.com or www.hsof.net.

FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER

Divine Mercy Thanksgiving Mass

2 to 4pm at St. Jerome’s Church, 36 Troode Street, Munster.Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Mass celebrated by Fr. Bogoni. There will be Divine Mercy Chaplet and Talk on Divine Mercy. All Divine Prayer Groups and everyone are invited to this celebration. Enq: Connie 9494 1495 or Edita 9418 3728.

SATURDAY, 20 NOVEMBER

The Annual Holy Mass at the Grotto

10.30am at Richard and Judy Priestley’s Farm. Directions – take Great Eastern Hwy to El Caballo Blanco, turn south into Wariin Rd, turn east into Chinganning Rd, travel 2.2km; the farm gate is on the right. Bring a chair and a hat. BBQ meat will be provided at no cost for lunch. All welcome. Enq: 0428 502 749.

SATURDAY, 20 NOVEMBER AND SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER

MenAlive Retreat

8am at Willetton Catholic parish. Registration followed by Retreat at 9am, followed by Mass. BYO lunch. Barbeque dinner provided. Registration required. Enq: 9332 5992 or www.johnpaulwilletton.org.au.

Christ the King - Pemberton Eucharistic

Candlelight Procession

7pm at Sacred Heart Parish, Pemberton. In conjunction with the Holy Spirit of Freedom Community, invite you to join the Parish Mass followed by a Eucharistic Candlelight Procession to Karriholm-God’s Sanctuary, Benediction and Blessing of the Sick. Supper served.

A Morning Retreat - Inner Joy

Presented by Murray Graham Inigo Centre Director will be held at MacKillop Room, John XXIII College. Cost - donation for Inigo Centre. Registration required. Enq: Murray 9383 0444 or graham.murray@johnxxiii.edu.au.

SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER

Art Show by North Beach Parish Art Group. 10.30am–5pm Our Lady of Grace Pastoral Centre, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach. Christmas bargains from a range of original and affordable artwork. Icons painted by group members displayed in church will be blessed at Sunday Mass, then taken in procession to the centre exhibition opening. Morning tea provided. Enq: Angela 9349 3173 or Parish 9448 4888.

Solemnity of Christ the King

2pm at Shrine of Virgin of the Revelation, 36 Chittering Road, Bullsbrook. Commencing with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Universal King. Eucharistic procession precedes the Holy Mass. All welcome. Enq: 9447 3292.

Taize Prayer Service

7pm-8pm at Sisters of St Joseph’s chapel, 16 York Street, South Perth. You are invited to join in the Thanksgiving Prayer for the Canonisation of Saint Mary MacKillop. Bring a plate to share and a torch. St Mary MacKillop Memorabilia merchandise on sale. Enq: Sr Maree Riddler 0414 683 926.

Mini Christmas Craft Fair

10am -3.30pm at Notre Dame Church, Wright Street, Cloverdale. All the usual treats. Come along and purchase your Christmas gifts from our selection of hand made gifts, purchase a homemade cake or preserve. All funds raised go to assisting our WYD representative, Parish commitments and the Water Project in East Timor.

WEDNESDAY, 24 NOVEMBER

6pm at Michael Keating Room, University of Notre Dame, 10 Cliff St, Fremantle. Refreshments provided. Registration for event required. Enq: 9470 4922 or kswca. office@perthcatholic.org.au.

FRIDAY, 26 NOVEMBER

Medjugorje – Evening of Prayer

7-9pm at Sacred Heart Parish Church, 50 Ovens Rd, Thornlie. An evening of Prayer with Our Lady Queen of Peace. Adoration, Rosary, Benediction concluding with Holy Mass. Celebrant Fr Bogoni. Free DVD on Donald Calloway’s life of sexual promiscuity, drugs and crime through to his conversion and priesthood available on evening. Enq: 9402 2480 or medjugorje@y7mail.com.

SATURDAY, 27 NOVEMBER AND SUNDAY, 28 NOVEMBER

MenAlive Retreat

8am at Infant Jesus Catholic Parish, Morley. Registration followed by Retreat at 9am, followed by Mass. BYO lunch. Barbeque dinner provided. Registration required. Enq: 9276 8336.

Annual Bumper Garage Sale

9am-6pm at Redemptorist Monastery Grounds, 190 Vincent St, North Perth. Homemade Christmas cakes, biscuits, muffins, bric-a-brac, household goods, gift items, books, jams, pickles, plants plus several raffle prizes. Stock up for Christmas, pick up a bargain and have some fun.

SATURDAY, 4 DECEMBER

Day with Mary

9am to 5pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 104 Scarborough Beach Road corner Deanmore Road, Scarborough. Day of prayer and instruction based on the Fatima message. 9am Video; 10:10am Holy Mass; Reconciliation, Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic Adoration, Sermons on Eucharist and Our Lady, Rosaries and Stations of the Cross. BYO lunch. Enq: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate 9250 8286.

WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER

Alan Ames Healing Service

7pm at Holy Family Church, 2 Burt Street, Kalamunda. Mass followed by healing service.

EVERY SUNDAY

Pilgrim Mass - Shrine of the Virgin of the Revelation 2pm at Shrine, 36 Chittering Rd, Bullsbrook. Commencing with Rosary followed by Benediction. Reconciliation is available before every celebration. Anointing of the Sick administered during Mass every second Sunday of the month. Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgin of the Revelation, last Sunday of the month. Side entrance to the church and shrine open daily between 9am-5pm. Enq Sacri 9447 3292.

Extraordinary Form of Latin Holy Mass 11am Sunday and 7.30pm Monday except 3rd Monday of the month, at St Joseph’s Parish, 20 Hamilton St, Bassendean.

EVERY SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER

New Studio Sale to support the Cathedral 9am-12pm at 213 Yangebup Rd, Yangebup. Work by Margaret Fane at 50% off and offers considered to make way for new work. Enq: Margaret 0432 834 743 or margaretfane.com.au.

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Oblates of St Benedict 2pm at St Joseph’s Convent, York St, South Perth. Oblates are affiliated with the Benedictine Abbey of New Norcia. All welcome to study the rule of St Benedict and its relevance to the everyday life of today for lay people. Vespers and tea later. Enq: Secretary 9457 5758.

EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life

2-3pm at Infant Jesus Parish, Wellington St, Morley. The hour includes Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist, silent prayer, Scripture and prayers of intercession. Come and pray that those discerning vocations to the priesthood or Religious life hear clearly God’s loving call to them.

LAST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Christian Spirituality Presentation

7.30-9.15pm at the Church hall behind St Swithan’s Anglican Church, 195 Lesmurdie Rd, Lesmurdie. Stephanie Woods presents The Desert Period of Christianity, 260 to 600AD. From this time period came the understanding of the monastic lifestyle and contemplative prayer. No cost. Enq Lynne 9293 3848.

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT

Novena and Benediction to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

6pm at the Pater Noster Church, Marmion and Evershed Sts, Myaree. Mass at 5.30pm. Enq: John 0408 952 194.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Holy Spirit of Freedom Community

7.30pm at The Church of Christ, 111 Stirling St, Perth. We are delighted to welcome everyone to attend our Holy Spirit of Freedom Praise Meeting. Enq 9475 0155 or hsofperth@gmail.com.

SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

Chaplets of the Divine Mercy

7.30pm at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Dean Road, Bateman. A beautiful, prayerful, and sung devotion will be accompanied by Exposition and followed by Benediction. All are welcome. Enq: George Lopez on 9310 9493(h) or 9325 2010(w).

EVERY THURSDAY

Cathedral Praise Meeting

7.45pm at 450 Hay St, Perth. A journey of Intercessory Prayer, Revelation and Healing by Kaye Rollings, FMI. Please bring a Bible. Enq: 9382 3668 or 0439 981 515.

Catholic Questions and Answers

7-7.30pm at St Joseph’s Parish Centre, 20 Hamilton St, Bassendean. Catechesis learned easily with questions and answers. The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Adult learning and deepening of the Catholic Faith, with Fr John Corapi DVD series, 7.30-9pm.

Divine Mercy

11am at St John and Paul Church, Pine Tree Gully Rd, Willetton. Pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and for the consecrated life especially here in John Paul parish, conclude with veneration of the First Class Relic of Saint Faustina. Please do come and join us in prayer. Enq: John 9457 7771.

Taize Prayer and Meditation

7.30-8.30pm at Our Lady of Grace Church, 3 Kitchener St, North Beach. Prayer and meditation using songs from the Taize phenomenon. In peace and Candlelight we make our pilgrimage. All are warmly invited. Enq: Joan 9448 4457 or parish 9448 4888.

FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Holy Hour for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

7pm at Little Sisters of the Poor Chapel, 2 Rawlins St, Glendalough. Mass, followed by Adoration with Fr Doug Harris. All welcome. Refreshments provided.

Communion of Reparation All Night Vigil

7pm-1am at Corpus Christi Church, Lochee St, Mosman Park. Vigil consists of Mass, Rosary, Confession and Adoration. Celebrant Fr T Bogoni. All warmly welcomed. Enq: Vicky 0400 282 357.

Panorama continued from page 18.

Catholic Faith Renewal Evening

7.30pm at St John and Paul’s Parish, Pinetree Gully Rd, Willetton. Songs of Praise, sharing by a priest followed by Thanksgiving Mass and light refreshments after Mass. All welcome to attend and bring your family and friends. Enq: Kathy 9295 0913, Ann: 0412 166 164 or catholicfaithrenewal@gmail.com.

The Alliance, Triumph and Reign of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

9pm at St Bernadette’s Church, Glendalough. Commences with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Reflections, Rosary and alternating with healing sessions. Vigil concludes with the Holy Mass at midnight. Come, be healed and be part of the Lord’s Mighty Work. Enq: Fr Doug 9444 6131 or Dorothy 9342 5845.

Healing Mass

7pm at St Peter’s Parish, Wood St, Inglewood. Reconciliation, praise and worship, exposition

of Blessed Sacrament, Benediction, anointing of the sick, and special blessing. Celebrants Fr Sam and other clergy. All welcome. Enq: Priscilla 0433 457 352, Catherine 0433 923 083 or Mary-Ann 0409 672 304.

AA ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Is Alcohol costing you more than just money?

Enq: AA 9325 3566.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Emmanuel Self-Help Centre for People with Disabilities is looking for volunteers to transport newspapers and other recyclable paper from its Perth office to a Canning Vale paper mill about every six weeks. Manual car driver’s licence required. Physical fitness is advantageous as heavy lifting is involved; Centre staff will assist. Enq: Fr Paul 9328 8113 or emmanuelcentre@westnet.com.au

ACCOMMODATION

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

ESPERANCE 3 bedroom house f/furnished Ph 09 9076 5083.

BOOK BINDING

NEW BOOK BINDING, General Book Repairs; Rebinding; New Ribbons; Old Leather Bindings Restored. Tydewi Bindery 0422 986 572.

TRADE SERVICES

BRENDON HANDYMAN

SERVICES Home, building maintenance, repairs and renovations. NOR. Ph 0427 539 588.

BRICK RE-POINTING

Ph Nigel 9242 2952.

PERROTT PAINTING Pty Ltd

For all your residential, commercial painting requirements. Ph Tom Perrott 9444 1200.

PICASSO PAINTING Top service.

Ph 0419 915 836, fax 9345 0505.

LAWN MOWING

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RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

CATHOLICS CORNER Retailer of Catholic products specialising in gifts, cards and apparel for Baptism, Communion and Confirmation. Ph 9456 1777. Shop 12, 64-66 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale. Open Mon-Sat.

OTTIMO Convenient city location for books, CDs/DVDs, cards, candles, statues, Bibles, medals and much more. Shop 108, Trinity Arcade (Terrace level), 671 Hay St, Perth. Ph 9322 4520. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm.

RICH HARVEST YOUR CHRISTIAN SHOP Looking for Bibles, CDs, books, cards, gifts, statues, Baptism/Communion apparel, religious vestments, etc? Visit us at 39 Hulme Ct (off McCoy St), Myaree, Ph 9329 9889 (after 10.30am Mon to Sat). We are here to serve.

KINLAR VESTMENTS Quality hand-made and decorated vestments: Albs, Stoles, Chasubles, altar linen, banners etc. 12 Favenc Way, Padbury. By appointment only. Ph Vicki 9402 1318 or 0409 114 093.

SETTLEMENTS

SPRAYING Garden clean ups and rubbish removal. Get rid of bindii, jojo and other unsightly weeds. Based in Tuart Hill. Enq 9443 9243 or 0402 326 637.

FURNITURE REMOVAL

ALL AREAS. Competitive Rates. Mike Murphy Ph 0416 226 434.

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING

real estate or a business? Why not ask Excel Settlements for a quote for your settlement. We offer reasonable fees, excellent service and no hidden costs. Ring Excel on 9481 4499 for a quote. Check our web site on www.excelsettlem ents.com.

HOUSE CLEANER

Stirling area for 2-3 hrs per week. Lady rehabilitating. Police clearance preferred. Anne Ph: 9344 1467 after 12 Noon.

ART FOR THE CATHEDRAL www.margaretfane.com.au. DAYBREAK HEALING

Each session offers computerised health scan.

ACUPUNCTURE Aroma-oil Cupping Massage.

CLINIC: Guildford / Morley Ph: 0438-979036.

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With

Gr Rev

Ps 1:1-4.6 Tree that yields fruit

Lk 18:35-43 Let me see again

16 Tu St Margaret of Scotland (O);St Gertrude, virgin (O)

Gr Rev 3:1-6.14-22 Seven spirits of God

Ps 14:2-5 No wrong, no slur

Lk 19:1-10 A glimpse of Jesus

17 W St Elizabeth of Hungary, religious (M)

Wh Rev 4:1-11 Spirit possessed me

Ps 150 Give praise to the Lord!

Lk 19:11-28 Jesus nears Jerusalem

18 Th The Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles (O)

Gr Rev 5:1-10 A lamb sacrificed

Ps 149:1-6.9 Praise the Lord’s name!

Lk 19:41-44 Tears over Jerusalem

19 F Rev 10:8-11 Take the open scroll

Gr Ps 118:14.24.72.103.111.131 Your will my delight

Lk 19:45-48 Jesus taught every day

20 S Rev 11:4-12 Two witnesses

Gr Ps 143:1-2.9-10 The Lord, my Saviour